| MIKE
VILLINES ELECTED
ASSEMBLY REPUBLICAN LEADER
On November
9, 2006, Assemblyman Mike Villines, of Clovis, was unanimously
elected by his colleagues to serve as the next Assembly Republican
Leader. He succeeds George Plescia, of San Diego.
“I congratulate
my friend Mike Villines upon his election, and wish him the best
of luck as he prepares to become the next Assembly Republican
Leader,” Plescia said. “It has been an honor to serve
my colleagues as Leader, and I pledge my full support and cooperation
to ensure a smooth transition. I look forward to working closely
with Mike and his leadership team in the coming months as we work
together to build a stronger California.”
Assemblyman
Villines was elected in 2004 to represent the 29th Assembly District,
which includes the communities of Clovis, Fresno, Hume Lake, Madera,
Orange Cove and Shaver Lake. He most recently served as Assistant
Republican Leader, helping to formulate Republican legislative
strategy, build coalitions and mobilize votes on key legislation.
Villines has served as vice-chairman of the Assembly Water, Parks
and Wildlife Committee, and as a member of the Budget, Elections,
Reapportionment and Constitutional Amendments, and Rules Committees.
“I am
humbled to have been trusted with this enormous responsibility
by my Assembly Republican colleagues, and I look forward to leading
a united Republican team in the months ahead,” Villines
said. “I salute my predecessor George Plescia for leading
our caucus with great purpose and professionalism during some
very complex and often trying times for our party and our state.”
Improving
California’s business climate, reducing the tax burden on
hard-working families and restoring common-sense solutions and
accountability to state government are Assemblyman Villines’
top legislative priorities. This year, he authored legislation
signed into law by Governor Schwarzenegger that requires drunk
drivers to appear in court during their sentencing to personally
answer for their actions. Villines was recently named an “Emerging
Leader” by the State Legislative Leaders Foundation.
“My
priorities as Republican Leader are the priorities shared by California’s
hard-working families,” Villines said. “As Leader,
I will fight hard to represent the Caucus, protect our state’s
jobs-friendly economy and keep taxes low, fix our broken redistricting
system, improve our public schools and eliminate our structural
budget deficit once and for all.”
Previously,
Villines served as an aide to former Gov. Pete Wilson, and as
chief of staff to State Sen. Chuck Poochigian. A former small
business owner, he is a graduate of California State University,
Fresno. He and his wife Christina live in Clovis with their three
children.
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Media Contact:
Morgan Crinklaw (916) 319-2075
3720 Folsom Boulevard, Suite B, Sacramento, CA 95816
Telephone: (916) 453-0780| Fax: (916) 453-07863
E-mail: advocacy@csrha.org
|
