SAN ANDREAS, CA. - Former assembly candidate Rico Oller sent out a press release after the election that was neither congratulatory towards Assemblyman-Elect Frank Bigelow nor in the spirit of cooperation towards working for the betterment of our state.
While we initially decided not to run the release, we thought the voters of the 5th Assembly District might find it entertaining. I particularly found funny how Mr. Oller said, "I was looking forward to representing the foothills in the Assembly." Guess that means Madera wasn't going to get any support from Oller.
Rico Oller Down 5.4% in Preliminary Election Results
In a major defeat for taxpayers, Assembly candidate Frank Bigelow has the lead in semi-official results for California’s new 5th Assembly District. As of Wednesday morning, the results are 52.7% for Frank Bigelow and 47.3% for Rico Oller with 100% of precincts reporting. San Andreas businessman Rico Oller was outspent nearly 4 to 1 in the primary and more than 5 to 1 in the general election by Sacramento special interest groups who wanted an Assemblyman they can influence.
“I am deeply disappointed by the results,” Oller said. “I was looking forward to representing the foothills in the Assembly and protecting taxpayers. I want to thank those who supported my campaign.”
The Rico Oller campaign and its large volunteer base made tens of thousands of calls, walked precincts in the districts few urban areas, and held a number of rallies on street corners featuring the Assembly candidate himself. “It has been a lot of hard work. I attended fairs, went door to door, and made a lot of calls,” Rico stated looking back at the long campaign.
Under Proposition 14 passed in 2010 the top two candidates from the primary proceed to a runoff regardless of party leading to this awkward Republican vs. Republican runoff. “A lot of voters feel disenfranchised. They feel that they should have the choice of candidates from both major parties as well as smaller parties and independents,” Oller noted.
Final election results not be available for several weeks largely due to the large number of vote by mail ballots that have to be counted.
-----
If you would like to comment on this release please us our message board or better yet call Mr. Oller's press secretary Isaac Kight at (209) 920-7426