Assemblyman Sam Blakeslee was elected Thursday as Assembly Republican leader, effective June 1.
"Our team is looking forward to working with everyone in the Legislature to find responsible solutions that balance California's budget and returns prosperity to our communties," the San Luis Obispo Republican said in a written statement.
Blakeslee vowed to fight for high-performing schools, safe streets, a healthy business climate, and for reform and streamlining of state government.
Blakeslee will replace Assemblyman Mike Villines, R-Clovis, who held a news conference earlier Thursday morning to announce that he will step down at the end of this month.
Villines, attacked by conservatives for supporting tax increases in budget negotiations, said resigning will resolve lingering questions within Republican ranks statewide.
"The truth is, there will always be this lingering fear, 'Well, would Mike do taxes again?' I won't, but I think it's important for a new start and a new fresh face."
"I think I can offer a lot of advice and wisdom to the team, but I've run my course," he added.
Villines, who will be termed out of the Assembly next year, said he expects to continue a career in public service and has not ruled out a run for statewide office.
Villines, who replaced George Plescia as Assembly Republican leader in November 2006, said he was not pushed out by members of his 29-member Republican caucus, which lost three seats in the 2008 election.
Married and the father of three children, Villines said his family has taken a "tremendous hit" from his Assembly work, which included months of long, tense budget negotiations that ended with marathon sessions in February.
"This has more to do with my wife and kids than it has to do with anything else," Villines said of resigning his post.
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