MODESTO — Assemblywoman Kristin Olsen, R-Modesto, is seeking re-election in the newly drawn Assembly District 12, encompassing includes Manteca, Ripon, Lathrop, and Escalon along with parts of Stanislaus County.

Olsen has a lifetime commitment to the Central Valley that includes her childhood home, her former district when she served on the Modesto City Council and her current home.

In the Assembly, Olsen has focused on reforming state government and bringing more local control to cities.

Olsen believes it’s not fair to saddle the entire state with “one-size-fits-all policies” because often what’s best for urban population centers like Los Angeles, San Diego, and San Francisco does not work in other areas of the state.

“It has been an honor to serve in the Assembly,” said Olsen. “I look forward to continuing to represent this area as an advocate for job creation, governance reform, and prioritizing core services like education and public safety. My focus is on problem-solving, not partisan politics, and I will continue to work hard to stand up for the Central Valley and common sense reforms that will return economic prosperity to California.”

Olsen currently represents about half of the new AD12 in the Assembly. The new parts of the district include southern and eastern San Joaquin County as well as Turlock in Stanislaus County, where Olsen worked for many years at California State University, Stanislaus.

Olsen has established herself in the district as uniquely accessible and responsive. Her current district covers a vast area, with thousands of residents in the Sierra foothills.

With more than $200,000 cash on hand and a leadership position as Minority Whip in the Assembly, Olsen is heavily favored to return to the Capitol in 2013.

Olsen and her husband Rod have three children, are active in the community, and attend Big Valley Grace Community Church.