California GOP: We Do Not Want To Win 5th Senate District–which IS Winnable

January 4, 2016 By Stephen Frank 6 Comments

Someone in the GOP made good on a promise last year, NOT to contest a winnable State Senate seat and allow a Democrat to stay in office. No one would comment on this but we were told it is untrue. Now we know that some in Republican leadership prefer Democrats in office. The LA Times 11/6/15, “A state Senate race in the San Joaquin Valley has all the makings of a prime 2016 showdown: a swing district that leans conservative, a Democratic incumbent who notched a narrow win four years ago and a potential challenge from the leader of the Assembly Republicans.

But the California GOP plans to sit this one out.

Assemblywoman Kristin Olsen (R-Modesto) said party officials told her that if she runs against Sen. Cathleen Galgiani (D-Stockton), she’ll be getting no help from them.

“The party has made a commitment to various interests that they will not spend party resources in Senate District 5,” Olsen said in an interview.”

Now Olsen admits, the GOP does not want to win. Will anyone ask why leaders in the GOP refuse to win a Senate seat?

Assembly Leader Kristin Olsen Says NO to Winnable Senate Race—GOP $$ People Refuse to Allow Her to Run

 

Kristin Olsen, 1/4/15

Friends, Last summer, I was encouraged to run for State Senate District 5. Extensive polling showed I could beat the incumbent Democrat. Since then, I have weighed the pros and cons of running and explored whether I can raise the resources necessary to win. After dozens of meetings, I am convinced that the funding and support needed to win exist. Nevertheless, after much reflection, I have decided not to run. This was a very difficult decision. SD 5 is a winnable Republican seat. In fact, it is a more “Republican seat” than at least four of the seats Republicans currently hold in the Legislature. Were my decision based solely on the ability to win, there is no doubt that I would be a candidate. The biggest factor in my decision, however, was my family. For the past five years, my family has been extraordinarily supportive of my desire to serve in the Legislature. This was especially true over the past year-and-a-half, when I traveled extensively around the State as Assembly Republican Leader. Next year, our three children will be in high school, middle school and elementary school. In addition to their schooling, they are involved in numerous extra-curricular activities. Simply put, I want to be more active in their daily lives. To me, public service is more than a job – it is a vocation. Those who know me understand the time and energy I devote to it. I love representing my community, seeking solutions, crafting legislation, and resolving problems my constituents have with public agencies. This work is challenging and immensely rewarding, as was serving as the Assembly Minority Leader. My passion for this work remains as strong as ever, but the time needed to simultaneously serve my constituents and run a very intense campaign would not allow me the ability to adequately focus on my family as is needed right now. I truly thank those who encouraged me to run for their kind words, support, and generosity. It was, and is, humbling. I anticipate that I will return to public service when the time is right. With the decision made, it’s time to move on. There is much work to be done to improve California and better the lives of its 38 million residents. Under California’s term limits law, 2016 is my last year in the Assembly, and I intend to make the most of every minute. I urge my constituents and supporters to remain engaged and active, recalling the words of Margaret Mead who said, “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.” May God richly bless our state and nation in the coming year!         Kristin Olsen