Bakersfield.com: Kern County news, events, classifieds, shopping, & search

The next big election: June 3 primary

• In the congressional and state legislative races, the top vote getters from each party in June will face off in the Nov. 4 general election.
• In the county supervisor, mayor and judge races, if nobody gets a majority of votes in June, there will be a November runoff between the top two finishers.

Fake Obama slogans anger local supporters
Local supporters of presidential hopeful Barack Obama are upset with radio personality Jaz McKay for posting what they say are inflammatory fake slogans about Obama’s campaign.

Campaign ad watch: Clearing the air on dairy pollution
The rump of a dairy cow is the first thing that catches your eye on Cliff Thompson’s campaign billboards.

Supervisor all business as he seeks re-election
Ray Watson walks briskly through his old neighborhood on Kroll Way in southwest Bakersfield.

Dramatic election boosts registration rates
DURHAM, N.C. (AP) — Voter excitement, always up before a presidential election, is pushing registration through the roof so far this year — with more than 3.5 million people rushing to join in the historic balloting, according to an Associated Press survey that offers the first national snapshot.

FEDERAL RACES

LOCAL RACES

STATE RACES

Feds: No credible terror threat to Indy 500
Federal authorities said the Indianapolis 500 is an attractive target for terrorists, but there has been no credible or specific threat aimed at the Memorial Day weekend race.

MoveOn ad features pro-Obama Republican
John Weiler is a Southern California police detective, a Republican, an Air Force veteran and self-described conservative. He is starring in a television commercial in support of Barack Obama.

Scandal clouds W.Va. court race as 3 states vote
Photos of West Virginia's top jurist vacationing with the chief executive of a massive coal producer have transformed an otherwise run-of-the-mill election into that state's most closely watched race, while voters in two other states prepared to cast ballots on key congressional seats.

Obama touts commitment to Israel
Democratic presidential leader Barack Obama said he regrets the division that has grown between Jews and blacks and he remains committed to ensuring Israel's security.

Poll

Who is your favorite president?

George W. Bush.
Jackson.
Jefferson.
JFK.
Lincoln.
Reagan.
Roosevelt.
Truman.
Washington.
None of the above.

Politics blog

More staff blogs

Links

• Campaign contributions
• Find your polling place
• Want a non-partisan look at the ballot?
• Campaign statements (county)
• Campaign statements (state)
• County election website
• California Secretary of State Elections & Voter Information
• Who are my federal, state and county representatives?
• Who is my Bakersfield City Council member?
• Initiatives on the June ballot
• 2008 California election calendar