Get to know the candidates: We sent candidates for the Kern County Board of Supervisors District 5 seat a questionnaire. Here’s how they responded

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) — Before voters of the Kern County Board of Supervisors 5th District get a chance to hear responses to questions about issues that matter most to them, KGET sent the candidates in the race a questionnaire to get answers to some basic questions.

We asked each candidate several questions:

• Name
• Age
• Hometown; City you reside in
• Tell us about your family.
• Give us a brief educational history
• Party registration; How long have you been registered with that party?
• Give us a brief career history
• Why are you running for this office?
• How long have you lived in the 20th Congressional District?
• Describe your political philosophy

Below are responses from the candidates running for the Kern County Board of Supervisors 5th District seat.

Kim Salas

Age: 52

Hometown, place of residence: Currently live in East Bakersfield

Family: “Married for 30 years, husband-Reuben Salas, 4 adult children: Lara Salas, Mary Salas, Victoria Riess and Elias Salas. One son-in-law Charles Riess. Three precious grandchildren: 2 grandsons and one granddaughter.”

Educational history: Graduated from East Bakersfield High School and attended CSU, Bakersfield

Career history: Started my political career with then Assemblyman Dean Florez (2000-2004), worked for then Supervisor Michael Rubio (2005-2010). Left politics and went to work for a family law attorney, then went to work at the Kern County Fire Department on a special project in 2011. Worked for Kern County Firefighters 1301 from 2012-2013, went back briefly to work for then State Senator Michael Rubio (2/1/13-2/22/13). After this went to work at Kern County Superintendent of Schools working in Foster Youth Services, Migrant Education and Early Childhood Education (2015-2022). Currently working as District Director for Assemblywoman Dr. Jasmeet Bains.

History of elected service: No history of elected service

Party registration: Registered Democrat for 34 years

Length of residence in the district: 43 years

Why you are running for this office?: “I am running for office because District 5 residents deserve the attention to infrastructure, public safety and health needs. The incumbent has been in office for 12 years and not much has changed in D5. As I walk and knock on doors, the residents of the communities are voicing their needs because they tell me they have not been heard.”

Political philosophy: “I believe that those that work for the government should understand that taxpayers pay their salaries. As such, residents of all of Kern County should receive a return on their investment. District 5 currently does not see that return. Many residents in D5 work by the sweat of their brow and they deserve to have clean and safe neighborhoods.”

Leticia Perez

Leticia Perez’s campaign did not directly answer the questionnaire but provided a document with a biographical page and fact sheet. You can download and read it at this link .

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