Cox Says Cristich’s Mailer Is Deceptive

Rep. Christopher Cox (R-Newport Beach) on Friday denounced a campaign mailer sent by Cristi Cristich, a Republican candidate for the 70th Assembly District, that he said falsely implied his endorsement.

The mailer opens with “an important message” over a photo of Cox, with the words, “Thank you, Cristi Cristich.” Inside are reprinted portions of a letter Cox sent to Cristich that pledges his support if she wins the primary.

He sent an identical letter to challenger Chuck DeVore, one of five other candidates in the March 2 Republican primary hoping to succeed Assemblyman John Campbell, who is running for the state Senate.

The other four candidates -- Chonchol D. Gupta, Long K. Pham, Don Wagner and Marianne Zippi -- had not sought letters of support from Cox.

The congressman said his office received “scores” of calls about the Cristich mailer, which he called deceitful because it removed the phrase “if you win the primary.”

“I’m deeply disappointed that voters have been so misled,” he said Friday. He asked the Cristich campaign to send another mailer to the same 100,000 voters correcting the record.

Cristich campaign manager Dave Gilliard defended the mailer as a fair representation of Cox’s letter. The mailer did not say that Cox endorsed Cristich, he said.

The same type of mailer was sent on Cox’s behalf in 1988, Gilliard said, which quoted a letter by President Reagan and proclaimed, “Thank you, Chris Cox.” Reagan didn’t endorse candidates either, but the use of his letter by Cox’s campaign was approved by the White House counsel.

Cox said he didn’t see Cristich’s mailer in advance and never would have approved it.

His letter offering support to both candidates “was extended as a courtesy and it was completely abused,” Cox said.