(Lincoln) - The Rick Keene for Senate campaign announced today that it has secured a critical endorsement in his bid for the 4th Senate District seat.  Conservative Placer County Assemblyman Ted Gaines joins a fast-growing list of Placer County leaders who are joining Keene for Senate.

Elected to the 4th Assembly District in November 2006, Gaines  previously served on the Placer County Board of Supervisors.  A well-known Republican leader and Roseville businessman, Gaines' family roots in the foothill region go back 5 generations to the gold rush era.

Respected and well known for his dedication to public service, Gaines served on the City of Roseville Planning Commission and as County Supervisor before being elected to the State Assembly.

"I'm pleased to endorse Rick Keene for Senate District 4.  I had the privilege to work with him in the State Assembly and I know that no one has done more to protect the North State than Rick," stated Assemblyman Gaines.  "In the Assembly, Rick Keene was a leader in many of our most critical policy areas."

"Rick led our effort to reform California's broken workers' compensation system which helped improve the state's economic climate by saving businesses billions of dollars annually," added Gaines.

"Rick Keene is a conservative leader we can trust and I know will work to fix the mess in Sacramento," concluded Gaines.

"I'm honored to have earned Assemblyman Gaines' trust and his support," stated Keene.  "I believe that his endorsement is going to prove critical in helping me earn the support of Placer County voters."

Assemblyman Ted Gaines joins Placer County Congressman Tom McClintock, Placer County Senator Sam Aanestad, Placer County Assemblyman Dan Logue and former Placer County Senators Tim Leslie, Rico Oller and a growing list of Placer County Republican leaders who are supporting Rick Keene's campaign for Senate.