Republican state Assemblyman will not seek re-election. He’s been in the role for 10 years

Frank Bigelow — a state Assemblyman who has represented the 5th District, which includes parts of Madera County — announced Wednesday that he will not seek re-election this year.

Bigelow, a Republican, has served as an Assemblyman since 2012.

“After a great deal of thought and prayer, I have decided I will not be seeking re-election in 2022 for the California State Assembly,” Bigelow said in a news release. “It has been the honor of my career to represent the constituents of the 5th Assembly District in the California State Legislature.

“In our incredible 10 years together, we have seen great success, and have brought our issues and way of life to the forefront in Sacramento.”

Bigelow, 67, said he will finish out his current term and plans to return in 2024 to try to serve out the duration of his 12-year, term-limit.

His district includes parts of Madera, Mariposa, Tuolomne, Alpine, Amador, Calaveras, El Dorado, Placer, and Mono counties.

“In the next two years, I look forward to more time with my wife, children and grandchildren on the ranch,” said Bigelow, a fourth-generation family rancher from O’Neals. “While I continue my mission of electing more Republicans throughout California.”

As an Assemblyman, Bigelow championed himself as a leading voice for building new water storage in California.

He authored a statewide water bond passed as Proposition 1 in 2014.

According to an interview with The Fresno Bee in 2017, Bigelow had hoped to remain in legislation until California had broken ground on Sites Reservoir and the Temperance Flat Dam.

This story was originally published February 16, 2022 at 9:08 PM.