BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) — While this new page in American history raised many eyebrows in Kern County. Both parties say they’re ready for the election in November.

“It’s probably going to be the biggest showdown in history,” Chair, Kern County Democratic Party, Chris Romo said.

“Wow, well, it actually happened, here we go,” Chair, Kern County Young Republicans, Tim Collins added.

While Democrats and Republicans don’t always see eye to eye, surprise was a common reaction to President Biden’s suspending his reelection bid.

“I, like many others, were hoping he would stay in,” Civil Rights Activist, Dolores Huerta said.

Local leaders say despite the dramatic shift less than a month before the Democratic National Convention, Vice President Kamala Harris — now the leading candidate to be the Democratic nominee — is the boost of energy needed to win in November.

“She’s someone that I think we all see ourselves in. A minority, a woman of color who is trying to get a seat at the table,” President, Democratic Women of Kern, Flor Olvera said about the leading Democratic nominee.

Huerta added, “Having a woman at the head of the ticket is really going to bring out the women’s vote and a lot of the young people also.”

Meanwhile Republicans are scratching their heads.

“We might’ve seen this coming to some extent, but we couldn’t really prepare for it. Just figuring out who we’re actually running up again is going to change our arguments… It’s almost entertaining with how much news there’s been recently,” Collins explained.

But both parties are steadfast in saying they’re energized more than ever.

“The Trump base and Republicans are really energized. I think really any Democratic candidate is going to have to energize the Democrats is what’s going to be tougher for them at this point.” She’s really unliked among, I think, the general public from what I see in the polling but especially among Republicans,” Collins said.

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“The base is energized, is ready to go, ready to knock on doors, ready to take the message of Kamala Harris and frankly, Joe Biden, I mean they ran together right,” according to Romo.

Locals also noting the former prosecutor, California attorney general and senator could affect down-ballot races.

If voters show up to vote for president, they typically vote for local races too. “It’s really going to give moderates and people who are on the fence another chance, right,” Romo said about the upcoming elections.

Especially those who weren’t fans of another Trump Biden rematch.

And the Harris campaign team already reaching out to local elected’s, asking for endorsements.

All eyes are on whether Harris’ advantages, like younger age and stronger public speaking, can sway voters in the final stretch.

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