Posted on 06/01/2011 4:21:14 PM PDT by newzjunkey
Former state treasurer Matt Fong has died.
Fong was 57 years old. His wife Paula told the Associated Press that he died in their Pasadena home Wednesday morning after losing a battle with skin cancer.
Fong, a Republican, held the state office from 1995 to 1998. He also served as Vice Chairman of the California State Board of Equalization and was a 1998 Republican nominee for the United States Senate.
Fong was born in Alameda. He was the son of former Democratic California Secretary of State March Fong Eu. March Fong Eu held that officer for 20 years and was the first Asian elected to statewide office in California.
Paula Fong told the Associated Press that her husband will be buried in Colorado Springs, Colo., where he attended the Air Force Academy.
Sen. Barbara Boxer, who ran against Fong for U.S. Senate in 1998 issued the following statement after hearing of his passing:
Matt Fong has had a distinguished career of public service in California and I am very sorry to hear of his passing. In our Senate race years ago, Matt was a strong competitor and we debated passionately, but we always had respect for one another. He will be missed and I send my deepest condolences to his family.
I thought it said Matt Lauer. Was almost giddy.
R.I.P Mr. Fong.
RIP. I voted for him against Boxer.
I can’t believe that election was 13 years ago. Time flies.
RIP Mr. Fong. You served our movement well in California.
I liked the guy. RIP Matt.
He should have won. He was such a great guy.
Vice Chairman of the California State Board of Equalization ?
I was surprised to hear this. By all accounts, Fong should’ve beaten Boxer, but he discovered she was far too vicious and he was just too nice a guy. RIP.
Cancer sucks. RIP Mr.Fong.
Wow, skin cancer?
RIP.
Do you know if his mom supported him electorally?
She’s ancient and her son is dead.
I'm sure that changed right after Boxer dumped a news story 10 days before the election that Fong had donated campaign funds to an anti-gay group once. Boxer went from being behind in the polls by 10 points to winning by a few points.
-PJ
I don’t know if she supported him publicly, perhaps privately. Matt was actually her adoptive son.
In the primary, I supported Darrell Issa not Matt Fong...I thought Issa was more conservative.
Fong won the primary...Then, I supported him in the general election...
I am really sorry to hear this news...
I do remember Hugh Hewitt having him as a guest on his radio show during the campaign...
Remember, Fong beat Phil Angelides for Treasurer position back in 1994...Same Angelides who lost to Arnold for the governor’s job...
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