TheBakersfieldCalifornian.com

Supervisor Jon McQuiston, the longest-serving member of the current Kern County Board of Supervisors, will not run for re-election in 2012.

McQuiston said Monday he wrestled with the decision for a long time.

"Any major life decision is an emotional struggle," he said.

What tipped his thoughts, McQuiston said, was the realization that if he won another term, he'd be nearly 69 years old at the end of his service. McQuiston was first elected to the board in 1996.

McQuiston said he has maybe 15 to 20 years left and the best years of it -- from a quality of life point-of-view -- will be the next four or five years.

A host of potential candidates has already lined up to replace him at the helm of the 1st District, which covers Shafter, Delano, Lake Isabella, Kernville, Inyokern and Ridgecrest.

Three are from Lake Isabella.

Daures Stephens, a senior deputy for the Kern County Sheriff's Department, is well into his campaign with fundraising in full swing.

Deborah Hess, a public relations professional with Southern California Edison, said she did not plan to commit to a run until McQuiston decided to step down.

David Freeland, a retired U.S. Forest Service district ranger, said last week he was in the race and has raised some cash as well.

And Delano City Councilman Sam Ramirez rounds out the four potential candidates who would face off in the June primary.

McQuiston said he felt obligated to make his decision and inform the public so potential candidates could decide whether to run.

McQuiston, who was an air-traffic controller and facilities officer in the U.S. Navy for 21 years, said he was most proud of his involvement in an effort to protect California and Kern County from major negative impacts of military base closures.

Edwards Air Force Base was protected from closure and China Lake Naval Air Weapons Station picked up hundreds of new jobs and $200 million in new military construction, McQuiston said.

He said he feels he will leave Kern County in as good a shape as when he was first elected in 1996, but it's time to step aside for the next steward.

"I think there is something to be said for not staying around too long," McQuiston said.

Derek Robinson, president of the Kern County Fire Fighters union, said McQuiston's exit removes a great deal of knowledge from the board.

Robinson said he didn't always agree with McQuiston, but the supervisor was very straight-forward.

"We've always appreciated working with Jon because you always knew where you stood with Jon," he said.

And, Robinson said, McQuiston was always willing to sit down with the union and listen to its side, another habit he appreciated.

McQuiston is the second of the three supervisors up for re-election in 2012 to announce he will not run.

Supervisor Ray Watson, who represents the 4th District in the western portion of Kern County from Wasco to Taft to Frazier Park, has already announced he will step down.

With the two most experienced supervisors stepping down, Robinson said, the board face major changes.

Supervisor Mike Maggard will be the board's most senior member with six years under his belt when Watson and McQuiston's replacements take their seats.

If 5th District Supervisor Karen Goh runs for office and loses, or declines to run, there would be three new supervisors, two-year freshman Zack Scrivner and Maggard.

Goh has not announced whether she will run. Former Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger appointed her to the seat last year after Michael Rubio was elected to the state Senate.

Candidates are also announcing for Watson's seat. Michael Rouw, a regular observer at supervisors' meetings, has filed papers declaring his intent to run in the 4th District.

And on Monday, Bakersfield petroleum attorney Harley Pinson, announced his candidacy for Watson's seat.

Pinson, 61, came to Kern County in 1981 and served on a number of civic boards. He is an "of counsel" attorney with the firm Klein, DeNatale, Goldner, Cooper, Rosenlieb and Kimball.