SAN LUIS OBISPO - Assemblyman Sam Blakeslee made the following statement this evening after declaring victory in the special election for California's 15th State Senate District:

"Thank you. I wouldn't be here tonight without all of you. In particular, I have to thank my wonderful wife and family for all their love, support and patience during this difficult campaign.

"Tonight's result sends a clear message to Sacramento - it's time to fix California. It's time to create jobs. It's time for reforms that return jobs to our state instead of driving them out of California. It's time for reforms that will help protect our schools and provide more money to teach our kids. It's time for reforms that change the way the Legislature operates and restructure state government. It's time for reforms that restore fiscal responsibility to our state finances.

"The voters want elected officials to work across party lines and to solve problems, not give sound bites. They want common sense and independence in their elected representatives. They are tired of politicians who automatically follow the party line or offer the same tired platitudes.

"This was a hard-fought contest. The Sacramento status quo fought us every step of the way. But tonight is a victory for the grassroots. This is a huge and diverse district and it took an immense amount of work to reach out to the voters in every part of the 15th District. But we did it. We did it by making an incredible 550,000 phone calls from our volunteers to voters. We also knocked on close to 280,000 doors during the course of this campaign. So many people worked so hard to make that happen and I am deeply grateful for the incredible support we received from not only the voters in general but the hundreds of volunteers from across our district.

"Thank you. I am honored by the outcome of this election. Tomorrow I will get back to work on reforming our state government and restoring prosperity to our state."