Election 2006
Triumphant House Democrats vow to take country in "new direction" home and abroad
WASHINGTON — Democrats won a cliffhanger race in Montana on Wednesday that took them to the brink of control of the Senate, after Americans sick of scandal and weary of war brought down the Republican House majority.
California re-elects Schwarzenegger, approves rebuilding bonds
LOS ANGELES — Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger easily dodged anger over Iraq and scandal within the Republican Party as voters gave him a second term and approved the multibillion-dollar package of state infrastructure bonds that will anchor his second-term agenda.
Democrats sweep into power in House; achieve at least a tie in Senate
WASHINGTON — Democrats won a cliffhanger race in Montana on Wednesday that took them to the brink of control of the Senate, after Americans sick of scandal and weary of war brought down the Republican House majority.
Youngblood wins sheriff's race
A country band bathed a packed Buck Owens Crystal Palace in the strains of “I’ve Got a Tiger by the Tail” and “The Streets of Bakersfield” as Donny Youngblood took the lead in the race for Kern County sheriff.
Parra wins third term narrowly
Assemblywoman Nicole Parra narrowly won a third term Tuesday, defeating her Republican challenger Danny Gilmore by more than 1,500 votes.
Weir, incumbents win city council races
Several familiar faces will return to the Bakersfield City Council after three incumbents were re-elected by wide margins Tuesday.
Road tax fails at polls
An end to the bumpy, congested trip to work won’t come any sooner after Kern County voted down a tax increase Tuesday to fund road repairs and improvements.
Mettler, Batey, Heinrichs win KHSD seats
The Kern High School District board is about to change dramatically.
Two local school bonds pass
Local voters OK’d improvement bonds totaling $140 million for two school districts Tuesday.
Incumbents fare well in school board races
Enrollment growth, boundary changes and test scores are some of the crucial issues school district board incumbents and their challengers have cited in this year’s races.
What are people saying at the polls
Here are some of the things local residents said today after voting
Parra and Gilmore race tightening
The 30th Assembly District race appeared to be tightening at about 11 p.m.
Mettler, Batey, Heinrichs take lead for KHSD board
With 269 of 432 precincts reporting, Ken Mettler, Bryan Batey and Joel Heinrichs showed an early lead for three spots on the Kern High School District board Tuesday night.
Final election results released
The unofficial final results for Tuesday's election were released just before 2:30 a.m. Wednesday.
School districts seek $140 million in bonds
Two local school districts turned to voters Tuesday in hopes of borrowing a total $140 million for campus construction and repairs.
Several school board members will be decided today
Kern County voters are choosing who stays and goes on several school boards today.
Will voters choose to increase sales tax for better roads?
Kern County residents will weigh new taxes against the condition of local roads today when they cast their votes for Measure I.
Kern High School District board majority on the ballot
Voters will choose three candidates today to serve on the five-member Kern High School District board.
Three incumbents on way to re-election to Bakersfield City Council
Several familiar faces look poised to return to the Bakersfield City Council dias after three incumbents were re-elected Tuesday.
Several polling places report increase in voters
Some polling places were pretty busy Tuesday night.
Local Republicans to host visit by McClintock, Poochigian
Lt. Gov. candidate Tom McClintock and Attorney General candidate Chuck Poochigian will be visiting Bakersfield Saturday, according to a news release from the Kern County Republican Party.
'I'll be back' (to Bakersfield)
Schwarzenegger stumps political experts as he stumps once again in city
Price: Voters becoming absentee-minded
I like to vote. I like to stop by the church gymnasium on my way to work, greet some neighbors and help the precinct worker find my name on the list. I like to locate a voting stall with just the right feel, make my choices and collect my "I voted" sticker.
Voter numbers dropping despite protests
Kern County’s voter registration trends since this spring’s immigration protests generally mirror those of other large cities tracked by The Associated Press, a Californian analysis shows.
Republicans: Kern cash kings
GOP donations dominate in county by more than 8 to 1, rolling in $705,240 to Democrats' $84,000
Kern to get special election funds, but who's to thank?
SACRAMENTO -- Kern County will get more than $785,000 to pay its costs in last year's special election under a bill that passed the Legislature overwhelmingly late Thursday.
Parra votes for drug discount bill despite her ambivalence
SACRAMENTO -- So, how did Assemblywoman Nicole Parra, D-Hanford, vote on the prescription drug discount legislation after reading a full-page ad in Monday's Californian urging her to support it?
State report may ease pressure on local election chief
Kern County elections officials responded quickly and reasonably to resolve “unfortunate” slips and voting glitches on Election Day, according to a report released by the California Secretary of State’s office.
Election boss under fire
Newly re-elected Kern County Auditor-Controller Ann Barnett is under fire today after overseeing a bumble-filled election on Tuesday.
Final election results released
After a day of technical problems, computer glitches and delayed election results Tuesday, the Kern County Elections Division posted final results at its Web site at 3:23 a.m. today.
Malfunction delays voting, election results
Early-morning technical problems with Kern County voting machines led to a nightmare evening full of computer glitches and delayed election results.
Wimbish and Youngblood in runoff election
Sheriff Mack Wimbish survived the primary vote and will face a runoff election with retired Cmdr. Donny Youngblood.
Fuller gets GOP nod in assembly race
Educator Jean Fuller captured the Republican bid for the 32nd Assembly District, capturing a solid lead of businessman Stan Ellis and former legislator Phil Wyman.
Maggard wins seat outright
Bakersfield City Councilman Mike Maggard emerged battered but victorious Tuesday night from a contentious race for 3rd District Kern County Supervisor.
Maben holds onto 2nd District supervisor seat
Incumbent 2nd District Supervisor Don Maben held onto his seat by capturing 64.1 percent of the vote, beating challenger Richard Zanutto who ended with 35.5 of the vote.
4 school bond measures win voter approval
All four school bond measures that needed 55 percent of the vote to succeed passed, final results showed Wednesday.
McCarthy set to fill Thomas’ ‘shoes’
Republican Assemblyman Kevin McCarthy did as expected Tuesday night and easily won the 22nd Congressional District Republican primary.
Sludge ban a solid winner
Kern’s two imported-sludge farms will stop using treated sewage as fertilizer, Kern County voters overwhelmingly decided Tuesday.
Write-in candidate hopes to get on ballot against Costa
To keep Rep. Jim Costa, D-Fresno, from going uncontested in the November general election, Republican Jim Lopez is looking for 1,143 write-in votes to get on the 20th Congressional District ballot.
It ain't over yet -- Election department still counting
The county election website says the numbers are final -- but they aren't quite yet.
The Californian recommends...
The Californian’s Editorial Board has made the following recommendations regarding measures and candidates on Tuesday’s ballot. Winning primary candidates will face each other in the November general election. To read the complete editorial, go to the Editorial blog on www.bakersfield.com.
Listen up: Election observations follow
You're desperate to know what to expect on Election Day, and I'm just the man to help. You can take these bold predictions and sage observations to the bank -- or possibly to the Dumpster in the alley behind the bank, but definitely somewhere in the general vicinity of the bank.
LINKS
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- County election website
- California Secretary of State Elections & Voter Information
VIDEO
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The new faces of KHSD (1:30)
Three newly elected board members vary in ideologies. -
Politicians and locals talk about Democrats winning (2:18)
Would a Democrat controlled House and Senate be better for America? -
Sheriff's race: Youngblood triumphs (2:14)
Donny Youngblood plans a team concept -
Waiting to vote (2:05)
Long lines lead to crankiness and pride in civic duty. -
Voters weigh in on sheriff race (1:28)
Who will win, Wimbish or Youngblood? -
Are voting machines safe? (2:57)
Sandy Brockman at the Elections Office gives us their precautions. -
Sheriff's race heading into the final stretch (2:35)
Donny Youngblood and Mack Wimbish talk about their respective campaigns. -
Video editorial: Put kids first when voting for KHSD board members (2:59)
Editorial board picks endorsements. -
Jean Fuller runs for 32nd assembly seat (2:09)
Jean tells why she decided to run in the campaign. -
Video Editorial: Political courage will protect bluffs (2:28)
Video editorial endorsing the hillside ordinance, which would limit building in the northeast bluffs area of Bakersfield. -
30th AD candidates Nicole Parra and Danny Gilmore square off in forum (2:48)
30th Assembly District candidates talk about community service, Republican values. -
Newt Gingrich gives Bakersfield his views on North Korea, Kevin McCarthy (2:45)
Former U.S. Speaker of the House comes to town to support McCarthy's bid for Congress. -
Governor candidate Angelides stops by Beach Park (1:24)
Current state treasurer rallies support for bid against Schwarzenegger. -
City Council: Candidates talk hillside ordinance (1:36)
Ward Three candidates explain their positions on the city's controversial hillside ordinance. -
City Council: Candidates talk public pensions (1:46)
Candidates for Ward 7 share their opinions on the city's pension costs. -
CSUB student runs for 32nd Assembly District seat (1:37)
Local student Maribel Vega runs against Jean Fuller. -
Gov. Schwarzenegger stump leaves some starstruck (1:54)
The governor stops through Bakersfield to support infrastructure bonds on the state ballot. -
Video Editorial: Kern's future depends on Measure I (2:22)
A video editorial endorsing Measure I, which would raise the local sales tax by half of a cent to pay for local road improvements. -
Sheriff candidates share their top priorities (2:31)
Sheriff Mack Wimbish and retired Commander Donny Youngblood explain their goals for the department.
AUDIO
- Californian editor Christine Bedell visited with Congressman-elect Kevin McCarthy during freshman orientation in Washington, D.C. (2:59)
- Price: Where did all the Republicans go? (3:22)
- Election Dish: Calling out Nicole Parra, and the death of Measure I (8:10)
- Election Dish: Digesting the horse-choking ballot (12:44)
- Election Dish: The Californian's political reporters and editors dish the latest election news (9:37)
- Election Dish: Could 'Desperate Housewives' spice up the Sheriff's race? (9:45)
- Election ad: Danny Gilmore accuses opponent of smear
- Election ad: Parra spot blasts Gilmore for disability retirement
- Election Dish: Post-election wrap up (10:03)
- Behind the Story: Inside the voting debacle (5:47)