Who is Jon?
Hey there — I’m Jon Fleischman. I write So, Does It Matter? because I think California politics matters a lot more than the spin we get from Sacramento and most of the media.
I’ve been at this for a while — my first dive into politics was back in the late ’80s, just in time to meet Ronald Reagan a couple of times. That alone might have been enough to hook me for life. I’m a constitutional conservative with strong core beliefs, but I’ve built a reputation for objectivity. I have my biases, sure — but I work hard to “call balls and strikes” the same way an umpire would, even when it’s not what my own team wants to hear.
Over the years, I’ve been quoted or appeared in just about every outlet that covers politics — Fox News, MSNBC, CNN, The Los Angeles Times, The San Francisco Chronicle, The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal — plus a steady diet of local TV news and talk radio from San Diego to Sacramento.
I’ve worn a lot of hats along the way:
Publisher of FlashReport, a daily hub for right-of-center political news and opinion in California.
Founder of So, Does It Matter?, which thousands now read every day.
State Chairman of Young Americans for Freedom (1990–1993) and later on the national board.
Statewide President of the California Republican Assembly (1995–1997).
Executive Director of the California Republican Party (1999–2001), overseeing a staff of dozens and budgets in the millions.
Vice Chairman (South) of the California Republican Party (2003-2007).
Editor, Breitbart California, a vertical of the Breitbart News Network (2014-2018).
Currently volunteer Treasurer of the Republican Party of Orange County, one of the most active county party organizations in the nation.
In 2001, I switched gears and became Deputy Director for Public Affairs for the Orange County Sheriff’s Department. I was the guy in front of the cameras and speaking to reporters for thousands of interviews — and I didn’t just talk the talk; I went through the Sheriff’s Reserve Academy and served as a uniformed Reserve Deputy Sheriff for over a decade.
From 2014 to 2020, I led the national Marsy’s Law for All campaign, helping pass constitutional crime-victim rights in 12 states and putting protections on the books for over 140 million Americans.
Throughout my career, my voice has always been the same: cut through the noise, tell people what’s really going on, and give you a clear picture of the politics shaping California’s future. If you want an insider’s view, and aren’t afraid of a little blunt talk (I give it to you straight, while not hiding my own bias) — you’re in the right place!
I thought I would throw this here if you are really looking for ways to spend your time. This is over a decade old, but an old friend just re-sent it to me. An interview I gave to Reason Magazine’s video show. Enjoy!