Merrie Fox

Merrie Fox was born in Texas. She earned a bachelor's degree from Southwest Texas State University in 1992, a graduate degree from Texas State University in 2003, and a Ph.D. from Northcentral University in 2018. Her career experience includes working as an executive director. She previously worked in public schools for 31 years as a teacher and principal. She has volunteered with Big Brothers Big Sisters, Riverside Pride, and her church choir.[1]

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Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

Dr. Merrie Fox worked as a teacher and administrator in public schools for 31 years. During her tenure as a principal, all three of her campuses were rated as ‘Recognized’ or ‘A’ schools under the school accountability system. In 2009, she was selected by the non-partisan advocacy group, Raise Your Hand Texas, to attend a Summer Institute at the Principals’ Center at Harvard. In 2018, Dr. Fox was selected as a Principal Advocacy Fellow for the 86th legislative session. After retiring in June 2023, she was hired as the Executive Director for Circle Arts Theatre in New Braunfels. In every aspect of her life, Dr. Fox believes that the true marks of a leader are the hands of a servant.

Merrie has lived in the Texas Hill Country for more than forty years. She and her wife, Lisa, have had the privilege of raising two children, one of whom is a teacher and the other, a paramedic. Merrie actively volunteers with Big Brothers Big Sisters and Riverside Pride, and she is a member of her church choir. For fun, Merrie enjoys playing cards and board games, attending the theatre, and kayaking the beautiful hill country rivers.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

Public policy must focus on the needs of people rather than the desires of politicians. However, the only way to know what people need is to be present in their communities and available to them for conversations. As a public servant, I will dedicate time to meet and talk with those I am elected to serve, both in times of crisis and in celebration.The issues we face as individuals and as a state are significant, but they are also solvable. When we choose to find common ground, focus on defining problems without denigrating others, and seek solutions that value and benefit communities, we CAN make things work!Diverse perspectives are necessary in the development of public policy. Differences in opinion and experience provide more possibilities for effectively addressing issues, especially when discourse is respectful and approached with curiosity rather than assumption. As an elected official, I will seek input from those with varying viewpoints to ensure that all aspects of an issue are considered.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

As a veteran educator, I am a passionate and steadfast advocate for public schools. Policies that impact funding, curriculum, staffing standards, and safety are of particular interest. Public education is the foundation of democracy and must be supported.

I am also dedicated to restoring women's rights to control decisions made about their own bodies. The ability to make healthcare decisions without government interference is a right that belongs to every adult in Texas.

I believe that public policy must be free of religious ideology, especially as it relates to the LGBTQIA+ community and other marginalized populations.

Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?

Former US Representative and Texas Senator, Barbara Jordan, was a political leader whom I would like to emulate. Her ability to maintain a dignified presence in spaces where she was not valued or considered equal to others was indicative of her courage, which I greatly admired. In addition, I hope to continue the work that meant so much to her - advocating for marginalized people.

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

As a school principal, I often had to make difficult decisions that impacted the lives of students, staff, and families. To help ensure that I was fair and consistent in my decision-making process, I adopted a list of non-negotiable standards: 1) Every person is treated with dignity; 2) the expected outcome is based on student well-being rather than adult preference; and 3) the decision does not violate policy or law.

Elected officials also face difficult decisions at times, making it important to have a similar set of non-negotiable standards. As an elected official, I will align my decision-making process with the values I hold as a servant leader: 1) Every person is treated with dignity, regardless of their beliefs or circumstances; 2) the Constitutional rights of individuals are considered before the will of the majority; 3) input about a situation is gathered from diverse stakeholders; 4) communication is accurate and transparent; and 5) laws and policies are not violated.