Madueno running for state Assembly

Former Riverbank Mayor Virginia Madueno has announced she is running for the 12th Assembly District seat which opens up in 2016 when Kristin Olsen, R-Riverbank, leaves office because of term limits.

Madueno is a Democrat and joins several Republicans – including Modesto Councilman Bill Zoslocki, Modesto City Schools board member Cindy Marks, former San Joaquin County Supervisor Ken Vogel and Ripon resident Heath Flora – who hope to succeed Olsen in the November 2016 election.

“Every candidate has reasons for running for public office,” Madueno said in a news release. “My reason is quite simple, because I want to help make things better for my community, for this region and for the State of California. My decision to run was inspired by residents who want proactive and inclusive leadership.”

Madueno, 49, is a former Riverbank councilwoman and mayor and is the founder and president of Imagen, a communications and marketing firm.

The 12th Assembly District covers eastern Stanislaus and San Joaquin counties and Turlock, Manteca and part of Modesto.

This story was originally published May 28, 2015 at 3:02 PM with the headline "Madueno running for state Assembly."