Rico Oller
{{Short description|American politician from California}}
{{Multiple issues|
{{Undisclosed paid|date=December 2020}}
{{BLP sources|date=June 2024}}}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2018}}
{{Use American English|date=July 2018}}
{{Infobox officeholder
|name = Rico Oller
|image = Rico Oller, 2001.jpg
|caption =
|birth_date = {{birth date and age|1958|7|16}}
|birth_place = Fresno, California, U.S.
|death_date =
|death_place =
|state_senate = California
|district = 1st
|term = December 4, 2000 – November 30, 2004
|preceded = Tim Leslie
|succeeded = Dave Cox
|state_assembly1= California
|district1 = 4th
|term1 = December 2, 1996 – November 30, 2000
|preceded1 = David Knowles
|succeeded1 = Tim Leslie
|party = Republican
|spouse = Londa
|children = 4
|education =
}}
Thomas "Rico" Oller (born July 16, 1958) is an American politician from California. A Republican, he served in the California State Assembly, representing the 4th District from 1996 to 2000,{{Cite web|date=1996-03-28|title=FINAL CALIFORNIA ELECTION RETURNS / CALIFORNIA ASSEMBLY|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1996-03-28-mn-54788-story.html|archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20240614084951/https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1996-03-28-mn-54788-story.html|archive-date=June 14, 2024|access-date=2020-11-05|website=Los Angeles Times|language=en-US}} and the California State Senate, representing the 1st district from 2000 to 2004.{{Cite web|last=Nichols|first=Dana M.|date=26 April 2012|title=Six vie for votes in GOP stronghold|url=https://www.recordnet.com/article/20120426/A_NEWS/204260316|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=2020-11-05|website=Stockton Record|language=en}}
Early life
Born in Fresno, California, Oller graduated from California State University, Stanislaus in 1980. In 1981, Oller started his building materials business.
Political career
In 2004, Oller ran for Congress in California's 3rd congressional district, but narrowly lost the Republican primary to former California Attorney General Dan Lungren.{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=4 February 2008|title=California: Ose Seeks Comeback, Club Seeks to Stop Him|url=https://www.rollcall.com/2008/02/04/california-ose-seeks-comeback-club-seeks-to-stop-him/|access-date=2020-11-05|website=Roll Call|language=en-us|archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20200928001311/https://www.rollcall.com/2008/02/04/california-ose-seeks-comeback-club-seeks-to-stop-him|archive-date=September 28, 2020|url-status=live}} 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.{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=4 March 2008|title=California: McClintock Chases Oller From Republican Race|url=https://www.rollcall.com/2008/03/04/california-mcclintock-chases-oller-from-republican-race/|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=2020-11-05|website=Roll Call|language=en}} 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."{{Cite web |url=http://www.sacbee.com/111/story/761035.html |title=Politics - McClintock joins race for Doolittle's seat - sacbee.com |access-date=March 5, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080306184334/http://www.sacbee.com/111/story/761035.html |archive-date=March 6, 2008 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all }} Oller ran for the newly former 5th Assembly District in 2012, facing Madera County Supervisor Frank Bigelow in the November general election. Oller lost to Bigelow by 5.7% in an upset.{{Cite web|last=Hiegel|first=Taylor|date=15 November 2013|title=Would 'jungle primary' bring more moderates to Washington? It's not clear|url=http://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/would-jungle-primary-bring-more-moderates-washington-its-not-clear-flna2D11604013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240614085317/https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/would-jungle-primary-bring-more-moderates-washington-its-not-clear-flna2D11604013|archive-date=June 14, 2024|access-date=2020-11-05|website=NBC News|language=en}}
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. He also passed legislation to protect the endangered Sierra Nevada bighorn sheep. He convened an oversight hearing into the spread of noxious weeds across California and carried legislation to promote the reactivation of the Auburn Dam.{{cn|date=June 2024}}
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 the 2000 "Defender of Freedom" award from the National Rifle Association of America.{{cn|date=June 2024}}
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20120304202559/http://ricooller.com/ Rico Oller's campaign site]
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{{s-par|us-ca-sen}}
{{succession box | before = Tim Leslie | title = California State Senator
1st district | years = December 4, 2000 - November 30, 2004 | after = Dave Cox }}
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{{succession box | before = David Knowles | title = California State Assemblyman
4th district | years = December 2, 1996 – November 30, 2000 | after = Tim Leslie }}
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{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Oller, Rico}}
Category:Republican Party California state senators
Category:California State University, Stanislaus alumni
Category:Republican Party members of the California State Assembly
Category:People from San Andreas, California
Category:Politicians from Fresno, California
Category:21st-century members of the California State Legislature
Category:20th-century members of the California State Legislature