Noteworthy

Remembering Matt Fong

In a world of good guys and bad guys, he was a good guy

Few people in Republican politics were as gracious as Matt Fong, the former California State Treasurer who passed away this week.  He was 57.

Shortly after I was elected county Republican leader in San Diego in 2001, I contacted Matt and asked him to share his insight on politics and government at one of our monthly party meetings, which draw several hundred interested Republican donors and activists.  He accepted the invitation and provided a wonderful talk later that year.  I specifically recall the meeting running long because Matt was very careful to answer everyone's questions, and there were so many for him that night.

We all know Matt from his successful service as Treasurer, and before that as a member of the state Board of Equalization, where he was Vice Chairman.  He was our Republican nominee for the United States Senate in 1998.

In politics there are good guys, and there are bad guys, and Matt Fong was unquestionably a good guy.

---