Like a great number of OC Republican politicos, I got my start in large part due to the help and guidance of former Republican Party of Orange County Chairman Tom Fuentes.

Back in early 1991, I was meeting with various folks looking for a way to get involved in politics. Someone sent me over to see Tom, who was working at Robert Bein Frost at the time.

There was a special election going on to fill the seat of state Senator John Seymour, who'd been appointed by newly-elected Gov. Pete Wilson to fill Wilson's U.S. Senate seat. Tom interviewed me for some time about my background and political philosophy, then picked up the phone and made a call.

"I'm sending a young man named Matt Cunningham over to your headquarters," said Tom, explaining he thought I'd make a very good volunteer. After he hung up, Tom explained he had just called the campaign of then-Assemblyman John Lewis -- who was running in the special election along with Assemblymembers Doris Allen and Nolan Frizelle and Dana Reed -- and they were expecting me that afternoon.

Thence began my ongoing sojourn in OC politics. John Lewis won the state Senate seat and I wound up being hired as his press secretary, and more than 16 years later here I am writing this blog.

Why do I bring this up? Because next Thursday, November 1 is an "An Evening With Tom Fuentes and Friends," a fundraiser for Tom's upcoming campaign for re-election to the South Orange County Community College District.

The featured speaker will be conservative statesman Bruce Herschensohn. Tickets are $150 each.

Details:

When:   Thursday, November 1
             5:30 p.m. Reception
             7:00 p.m. Dinner

Where:  Balboa Bay Club
             1221 West Coast Highway
             Newport Beach

You can RSVP to Kathy Tavoularis at 714.402.4145 or via e-mail.