Rico Oller

Thomas "Rico" Oller (born July 16, 1958), is a Republican U.S. politician from California. He served in the California State Assembly, representing the 4th District from 1996-2000, and the California State Senate, representing the 1st district from 2000-2004. In 2004, Oller ran for Congress in California's 3rd congressional district, but lost the election to former California Attorney General Dan Lungren. On January 10, 2008, Oller again ran for Congress, this time in California's 4th congressional district, for a seat being vacated by retiring Congressman John Doolittle. He faced opposition from former Congressman Doug Ose. On March 4, 2008, Oller dropped out of the race when California State Senator Tom McClintock (R-Thousand Oaks) announced that he was running for Doolittle's seat. In a statement, Oller said his decision was "a bitter pill indeed for me to swallow." But, he said he was endorsing McClintock to prevent the election of Ose, whom he labeled as "an unarguably liberal Republican." [ [http://www.sacbee.com/111/story/761035.html Politics - McClintock joins race for Doolittle's seat - sacbee.com ] ]

Legislative record

Oller fought against the expansion of Smog Check II and authored legislation to abolish the program. He opposed the use of MTBE (methyl tertiary-butyl ether) in fuel. But he also passed legislation to protect the endangered California Bighorn Sheep in the Sierra Nevada mountains. He convened an oversight hearing into the spread of noxious weeds across California and carried legislation to promote the reactivation of the controversial Auburn Dam [ [http://www.geoengineer.org/auburn.htm Auburn Dam ] ] .

Oller was named Legislator of the Year by California Small Business Association and American Electronics Association. He also received an award from Women's Safety Alliance for dedication to safety and an award from the National Rifle Association.

Campaigning

Oller has won the endorsement of Republican organizations such as the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association, the California Taxpayer Protection Committee, the Club for Growth, the California Republican Assembly, the Placer County Republican Central Committee, and Concerned Women for America.

Personal history

Born in Fresno, California, Oller graduated from California State University, Stanislaus in 1980. In 1981, Rico Oller started his building materials business. He is currently Owner and Chairman of Board of Material Ventures, Inc, the distribution company he founded. He resides with his wife and children in San Andreas, California.

External links

* [http://www.ricooller2008.com Rico Oller's campaign site]

References