Election notebook: Rios, Kirschenmann announce endorsements
By The Bakersfield Californian
Pedro Rios has picked up a heavyweight endorsement -- from Rep. Kevin McCarthy, R-Bakersfield -- in his bid for the 32nd Assembly District seat.
Rios, the Republican candidate in the race, will face Democrat and Bakersfield City Councilman Rudy Salas in November. Rios is a small businessman and former Delano city councilman.
"As a veteran, farmer and businessman, Pedro Rios is the type of common sense leader we need in Sacramento," McCarthy said in a press release from Rios' campaign. "He represents the values of the Central Valley and he is the best choice for the voters of Kern and Kings counties."
"Congressman Kevin McCarthy is a great leader in Kern County and Washington D.C., and I am so very humbled and honored to be endorsed by him," Rios said.
McCarthy, the majority whip in the House of Representatives, had endorsed Rios' Republican opponent Jon McQuiston in the primary election. But Rios squeaked out a surprising win against McQuiston.
Salas was far ahead of both Rios and McQuiston, with 41 percent of votes in the primary. Nevertheless, the California Democratic Party said it will target this race and three others it sees as competitive and important to protecting its majority in the state legislature.
Elliott Kirschenmann has been endorsed by former Bakersfield Mayor Mary K. Shell in his bid for a Bakersfield City Council seat.
Kirschenmann, a Bakersfield Planning Commission member, is running for the Ward 2 seat being vacated by Councilwoman Sue Benham. The other candidates in that race are local restauranteur Terry Maxwell and David Mensch, who teaches people with disabilities to use assistive technology.
"Elliott Kirschenmann impresses me as one who has the energy, vision and commitment to do a good job for the people of Ward 2 and the City of Bakersfield," Shell said. "I am confident Elliott will work for a sustainable government that is accountable and transparent."
The Fair Political Practices Commission approved a $200 fine Thursday against Dennis Beebe , a Kern Community College District trustee, for failing to file a campaign-finance report timely for the campaign period of July 1 to Dec. 31 of 2011, according to the FPPC.
The document had been due to the county Jan. 31 of this year.
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