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Bigelow announces 5th district assembly bid

(Updated: Thursday, February 09, 2012, 10:46 AM)

Madera County District 2 Supervisor Frank Bigelow, 57, has announced his bid for California's newly drawn 5th State Assembly district.

First elected to the board of supervisors in 1998, Bigelow has served as board chairman in 2002, 2006 and 2011 and feels he has a proven record of leadership.

"I've worked hard to help protect taxpayers from the tough economic times we are experiencing," Bigelow said. "I have voted to reduce government spending and have forced government to live within its means."

Republican Bigelow says he has fought to restore accountability to county agencies and has voted to keep and attract jobs to Madera County.

"Every year the Sacramento politicians promise to tell us the truth and to make the tough decisions to end California's economic crisis," Bigelow said. "But one look at last years state budget only proves that they can't keep their word -- they passed a state budget papered over with phony financial projections and kicked California's problems down the road yet again. I've grown tired of the empty promises and the failure to get the job done, so I've decided to throw my hat in the ring to serve as our community's voice in the State Assembly," said the fourth generation O'Neals rancher.

"Growing up on the ranch, I was taught the value of hard work and I'm approaching this campaign with that mindset," said Bigelow. "I won't be outworked."

Two other candidates have announced they will seek the district seat that runs through the foothill portions of El Dorado, Amador, Calaveras, Alpine , Tuolumne, Mono, Mariposa and Madera counties.

Mark C. Belden, 53, an independent from Pioneer in Amador County and former state senator Ricco Oller, 53, of San Andreas, a Republican, will appear on the ballot in the June 5 primary election.

Although early in the race, Bigelow has already received endorsements from Congressman Jeff Denham, State Senators Tom Berryhill and Anthony Cannella and Assemblywoman Kristin Olson.

In addition to his service on the board of supervisors, Bigelow has served on a variety of organizations and committees, most notably the Madera District Fair Board, the Madera Ag Boosters board of directors, California Shorthorn Breeder's Association board of directors and the Madera County Cattleman's Association board. He served as a leader in the Spring Valley 4-H Club and is a supporter of the Future Farmers of America.

Bigelow also serves as a volunteer with the O'Neals Val fire volunteer Department.

With family roots that date to the late 1800's, Frank's great grandparents, Harmon and Leota Bigelow, settled in the O'Neals area of Madera County and established a cattle and sheep ranch along with a wagon and stage line that served the high country of the Sierra Nevada.

Later, Harmon strung two wires through the trees so that his wife could talk to her friend a half-mile away with a telephone. In 1908, after requests for service from other settlers and a subsequent request by the Forest Service to take over its phone lines, the Bigelow Telephone Company became Ponderosa Telephone Company.

An employee of the company since 1973, Bigelow worked his way up through the ranks of the company, learning all facets of the business and currently serves as vice president. He remains active in the operation of his family's cattle ranch and has continued to raise champion registered Shorthorn cattle and champion registered Columbia Sheep.

One of the first things people notice about Bigelow is his white cowboy hat.

"It my way of thinking, the hat acknowledges the sacrifice of those who settled our region and serves as a commitment to preserve our way of life," Bigelow said.

He resides in O'Neals with his wife of 34 years, Barbara. The couple have three children, Frank Jr., 33, Matt, 32 and Kasey 28 and two grandchildren.