John Cox in 2021 CA Governor's race
On Budget & Economy:
Worried about COVID restrictions on hospitality, jobs
Cox is taking issue with the governor's actions during the COVID-19 pandemic. He said he would have handled it much differently than Newsom over the past year. "I certainly wouldn't have closed down businesses like he has for this length of time,"
Cox said. "I would've certainly not have had the kids out of school for this length of time." Cox said he is worried about the effects of pandemic-related restrictions on the hospitality industry and working people.
Source: Spectrum News-1 on 2021 CA recall race
Mar 13, 2021
On Drugs:
If we have to, we're gonna force people to get treatment
The candidates had a robust debate over how to handle the deepening crisis of homelessness in California. Cox lamented the number of tents along the streets in
San Diego and pledged to take a more forceful approach, which would likely require changes to the law: "If we have to, we're gonna force people to get into treatment."
Source: CNN Politics on 2021 CA recall race
Aug 5, 2021
On Education:
COVID: Let parents utilize open private or public schools
Let's follow advice from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and reopen public schools immediately to ensure that students are in extracurricular activities, interact with their peers and learn in a classroom. The mental, physical
and emotional health of our children rank as a top priority. If not, California should offer emergency funding for parents to send their children to an open private school or a public one of their choice that has reopened.
Source: San Diego Union Tribune on 2021 California recall race
Feb 12, 2021
On Education:
I am a school choice advocate; I will push to end tenure
I am a school choice advocate and supporter of charter schools--parents and students deserve a choice in their students' education. I will also promote merit-based pay for teachers and administrators, and I will push to end tenure.
I want teachers to be paid more, but that higher pay must be tied to actual results.
Source: Campaign website JohnCox.com for 2021 CA recall race
Feb 15, 2021
On Energy & Oil:
We must employ an all-of-the-above strategy
It's unacceptable to have blackouts; it's due to a lack of supply. We must employ an all-of-the-above strategy - meaning more natural gas production, preserve hydroelectric power and expand modern and safe nuclear energy.
We must also promote competition for utilities in an effort to bring down the costs for California families.
Source: Campaign website JohnCox.com for 2021 CA recall race
Feb 15, 2021
On Environment:
Blaming climate change for wildfires unacceptable
Putting an End to Devastating Wildfires. Blaming climate change is unacceptable; we must adapt; we must improve our forest management system by managing vegetation, reducing hazards, and maintaining forest health. Additionally, I have proposed the idea
of an "Air Armada" with 100 large tanker equipped jets to deliver overwhelming force to fires. This gives fire-fighting teams a quick response to stop fires before they become infernos that threaten our families and California's wildlife.
Source: Campaign website JohnCox.com for 2021 CA recall race
Feb 15, 2021
On Government Reform:
Replace Environmental Quality Act to allow building
I'm a builder and can build in other states for a fraction of the cost in California. The key to solving the housing crisis is to replace the California Environmental Quality Act with greatly streamlined, sensible reforms.
Impact fees need to be limited and approval time needs to be shortened. We need more trade school education to prepare our young people for construction jobs.
Source: San Diego Union Tribune on 2021 California recall race
Feb 12, 2021
On Government Reform:
I'm the outsider, not beholden to any donors
[On opponents' supporters]: "I'm the outsider. I'm the guy that's going to get things done," Cox said, criticizing Newsom and
Faulconer as beholden to their donors. "People are sick of that. They want an outsider. They want someone that's actually going to address these issues."
Source: Los Angeles Times on 2021 CA recall race
Apr 2, 2021
On Health Care:
Public-private partnership to get vaccinations done
Getting our at-risk populations vaccinated requires a private-public partnership between the state and pharmacies. There are over 8,000 pharmacies in California. Let's use them effectively to rapidly vaccinate our population and remove barriers
to getting those vaccines out to the people who need them. That requires the state to remove some of the red tape so that we can expand the number of doctors and nurses who can provide these shots.
Source: San Diego Union Tribune on 2021 California recall race
Feb 12, 2021
On Health Care:
Opposed vaccination mandate for health care workers
Gov. Newsom announced that state employees and health care workers would be required to get vaccinated or be subject to regular COVID testing. Despite being infected with COVID early on in the pandemic, Cox said he opposed the governor's recent
action to coax health care workers to get vaccinated. He also asserted that people who have already contracted the disease don't need the vaccine, contrary to guidance from the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Source: Cal Matters on 2021 CA recall race
Aug 5, 2021
On Jobs:
The real, true minimum wage should be zero
Businessman John Cox, who lost to Newsom in the 2018 governor's race, appeared to endorse eliminating the state's minimum wage law. "The real, true minimum wage...
should be zero. It should be set between the employer and the employee," Cox said at one point.
Source: Associated Press on 2021 CA recall race
Aug 5, 2021
On Local Issues:
Build infrastructure for adequate surface water storage
The complete failure of the Sacramento establishment to provide the necessary funding, authorization, and follow-through to build adequate surface water storage is the single greatest reason California continues to suffer unnecessary water shortages.
We've passed the water bonds; now we have to use the funding to build infrastructure--desalination and recycling should also be in the mix.
Source: Campaign website JohnCox.com for 2021 CA recall race
Feb 15, 2021
On Principles & Values:
I'm against corruption in government and in business
Regardless of where it's coming from, I'm against corruption, in our government and in businesses. I'm not a career politician. Unlike our current governor and my opponent, I've spent my entire career creating jobs and
helping people to earn a better living. You can count on me to continue fighting in the interest of the people and fighting corruption wherever I see it.
Source: Campaign website JohnCox.com for 2021 CA recall race
Feb 15, 2021
On Tax Reform:
I will reduce California's sky-high sales taxes, gas taxes
With some of the highest taxes in the country, CA is chasing away businesses and innovators. Every Californian, regardless of income, race, or geographical location has felt the ridiculous strain of tax policy in our state.
I will reduce California's sky-high sales taxes, vehicle license fees, and gasoline taxes. Taxes, along with housing costs, drastically impact the cost of living in California.
Source: Campaign website JohnCox.com for 2021 CA recall race
Feb 15, 2021
On Welfare & Poverty:
Public-private partnership with churches can help homeless
Treatment is the key. Although just 12% of the U.S. population lives in California, 27% of the U.S. homeless population lives in California. To solve this issue, California leaders must enforce our laws and strengthen our mental health and drug
treatment programs. A public-private partnership with Churches and other non-profits can help house and treat our homeless population. Conservatorships and other means of requiring treatment have to be used to clean up this problem.
Source: Campaign website JohnCox.com for 2021 CA recall race
Feb 15, 2021
Page last updated: Feb 14, 2023