Positive Cases Among Kern Residents: 305,161
Deaths: 2,605
Recovered and Presumed Recovered Residents: 297,619
Percentage of all cases that are unvaccinated: 71.37
Percentage of all hospitalizations that are unvaccinated: 83.16
Updated: 1/19/23
PHOTO GALLERY: Speaker McCarthy addresses supporters at Fox Theater
If there was one thing Kevin McCarthy looked to remind constituents Thursday, it's that before he became speaker of the House, he was a Driller. His message was well-received by those who were invited.
Outside downtown’s Fox Theater, a small crowd gathered as early as 1:45 p.m. to line up outside and vie for a good seat at the special homecoming.
By 3:30 p.m., the lower section of the theater neared capacity. In the lobby and along the stairs, garland and balloons bound the building with the pomp and pageantry of Christmas or Independence Day.
Speeches were made in person and on a pre-recorded reel, rotating through friends and colleagues who spoke to McCarthy's character and accomplishments at both the local and national level.
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House Speaker Kevin McCarthy smiles as he speaks to the media about his recent victory in his bid for speakership during a meet and greet event at the Bakersfield Fox Theater on Thursday afternoon.
Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy waves to the crowd following his speech on Thursday afternoon.
Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy smiles big as he holds a baby, Uriah Goldberg, during a meet and greet Thursday afternoon. Constituents such as Kelly Gladden, left, and Ben Glapenske, stood in line to get a photo with McCarthy.
Jim Ranger, a local singer who was awarded second place on NBC’s hit singing competition “The Voice,” took the stage Thursday afternoon ahead of Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy at a meet and greet event at the Bakersfield Fox Theater.
The marquee outside the Fox Theater in downtown Bakersfield during Thursday afternoon's meet and greet event expresses thanks to constituents on behalf of Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy.
Supporters wait in line to take a photo with Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy during an invitation-only meet and greet at the Bakersfield Fox Theater on Thursday afternoon.
A crowd gathers outside the Fox Theater in downtown Bakersfield in advance of an appearance by Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy.
The Bakersfield High School marching band files into the Bakersfield Fox Theater before Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy enters during a meet and greet Thursday afternoon to celebrate his recent victory in claiming the speakership.
Rep. Kevin McCarthy delivers a speech of gratitude, thanking his constituents for the part they played in his recent ascension to speaker of the House.
Members of the Bakersfield High School marching band prepare to perform a song at the start of Thursday afternoon's meet and greet with Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy.
House Speaker Kevin McCarthy enters the stage Thursday afternoon at the Bakersfield Fox Theater, surrounded by flags and balloons that read "Thank You Bakersfield."
Miss Teen Bakersfield Kameron Wilson smiles for a photo with Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy during Thursday afternoon's meet and greet at the Bakersfield Fox Theater.
Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy, left, shakes the hand of Rep. David Valadao, whose close election in November played a role in securing McCarthy's victory in his bid for the speakership.
Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy speaks to the news media during Thursday afternoon's meet and greet at the Bakersfield Fox Theater.
Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy gestures as he answers questions from the news media during Thursday afternoon's meet and greet at the Bakersfield Fox Theater.
Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy gestures as he answers questions from the news media during Thursday afternoon's meet and greet at the Bakersfield Fox Theater.
Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy smiles as he speaks to the news media about his recent victory in his bid for speakership during a meet and greet event at the Bakersfield Fox Theater on Thursday afternoon.
Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy smiles with constituents Lydia Spradlin, left, and Andrew Spradlin, during a photo opportunity at Thursday's meet and greet at the Bakersfield Fox Theater.
Jim Ranger, a local singer who was awarded second place on NBC’s hit singing competition “The Voice,” took the stage Thursday afternoon before House Speaker Kevin McCarthy at a meet and greet event at the Bakersfield Fox Theater.
