TheBakersfieldCalifornian.com

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1. 

   Ward 1 hopefuls talk issues, take swipes at top fundraiser

   BY JAMES BURGER Californian staff writer

   Thursday, May 16 2013 05:25 PM

   The same themes were repeated over and over Thursday as the six candidates for the Bakersfield City Council's open Ward 1 seat spoke to The Californian's editorial board.

   Clean streets. A stronger police presence. Less violence and gang activity. Economic development and jobs. Those are what the candidates promised to deliver for one of the -- if not the -- most socio-economically disadvantaged wards in the city.

   "We have a lot of blight, crime, a lot of people who are unemployed. I wanted to have an impact on that," said candidate Stephanie Campbell.

   "I'd like to be the connection between city council and the grassroot community organizations and families who are working to make our community a better place to live," said Tomeka...

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2. 

   Political notebook: Chamber backs Vidak for state Senate

   The Greater Bakersfield Chamber of Commerce's political action committee has endorsed businessman Andy Vidak for the 16th Senate District seat, the group stated in a press release Wednesday. "Andy's experience as a farmer brings him...
3. 

   Political notebook: Perez apologizes for offense taken with mailer

   Questions about the use of a religious icon in a political advertisement in the 16th Senate District race have prompted the Roman Catholic Diocese of Fresno to issue a statement saying the church does not endorse candidates. State Senate...
4. 

   Vidak, Perez trade barbs as Election Day nears

   With nine days to go and more than $2 million poured in by party powerbrokers in the 16th Senate District special primary election, the claws have come out in the race between front-runners Leticia Perez and Andy Vidak. Republican Vidak's...
5. 

   Rivera far ahead in council race fundraising

   There are only 25 days to go before residents of southeast Bakersfield's Ward 1 are expected to elect a new member to the city council. Six candidates are running in the June 4 special election -- but one in particular has pulled far...
6. 

   Scandal-plagued S.C. ex-Gov. Sanford elected to Congress

   CHARLESTON, S.C. -- Former Republican South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford revived a scandal-scarred political career by winning back his old congressional seat Tuesday in a district that hasn't elected a Democrat in three decades. The...
7. 

   Rubio's home transactions cleared by state watchdog

   SACRAMENTO -- Former Kern County State Senator Michael Rubio, who resigned to take a job in the oil industry, did not violate political gifting laws when he entered real estate transactions with a campaign donor who owns an oil-refining...
9. 

   Sentate candidate zigzags through radio interview

   Francisco Ramirez, 16th Senate District candidate, told Fresno radio talk show host Ray Appleton Wednesday that he's running as a Democrat because most of the voters in the district are Democrats. "The majority are Democrats. I want to...
10. 

    Senate candidates debate wage, water, public-safety issues

    The two party-backed candidates for the 16th Senate District seat dueled Monday morning on Fresno's KMJ News Talk Radio's Ray Appleton Show. Kern County Supervisor Leticia Perez, the state Democratic Party choice to replace former state...
11. 

    Vidak has only one path to victory

    The 16th Senate District race will likely be decided one month from today. If Kings County Republican Andy Vidak wins outright with more than 50 percent of the vote, he will deliver the California Democratic Party an embarrassing setback....
12. 

    Some State Senate candidates struggling to be heard

    HANFORD -- Democrat Leticia Perez and Republican Andy Vidak are getting almost all the attention in the 16th state Senate District race. They have money, they have the blessings of their party organizations and they are expected to duke...

13. Political Notebook: Debate set in 16th Senate race

    The five candidates seeking to seize Michael Rubio's vacant 16th Senate District seat in May's mid-term special election are scheduled to attend a debate on Tuesday at the Marriott hotel on Truxtun Avenue in downtown Bakersfield. The debate...
14. 

    Retired Bakersfield fire captain a public face on anti-discrimination bill

    A retired Bakersfield Fire Department captain is helping lead a statewide effort to end employment discrimination based on a person's family caregiving responsibilities. Derek Tisinger, 53, who retired from the fire department in 2009,...