City Council contenders Gonzales, Koman and Bashirtash retain leads in preliminary election results

The latest round of results from the Kern County Elections Division shows Bakersfield Vice Mayor Andrae Gonzales ahead of his sole challenger in the Ward 2 City Council race as political newcomers Larry Koman and Zack Bashirtash lead in their respective contests to join the council.

With an undetermined number of additional ballots still coming in, tallies released at 3:20 a.m. Wednesday by the Kern County Elections Division indicate Gonzales has 58.8% of the vote to cameraman-businessman Michael Cardenas' 41.2% in the Ward 2 contest.

The closest of the council races is in Ward 5, where Koman's 42.6% of votes counted so far from Tuesday's general election put him ahead of businessman Mike Madrigal (40.0%) and real estate broker Kevin Oliver (17.4%).

In the largest field among the three contests, for the Ward 6 seat, Wednesday's tally puts Bashirtash in front with 37.1% to retired project specialist Imelda Ceja's 31.6%, branding manager Tom Webster's 18.0% and trucking company operator Johnny Olaguez's 13.4%.

Gonzales, CEO of the nonprofit Stewards Inc., said Wednesday afternoon he was feeling "pretty good" about his lead. His ward covers most of downtown but it extends further west, east and south.

"I'm very humbled and honored to have what looks like another opportunity to serve a third term on the Bakersfield City Council representing Ward 2," Gonzales said. He added, "It has been not only an honor but also a challenge for me, and I look forward to seeking another term to meet these challenges head-on."

Koman, a local small business owner and builder, said he was happy, too, with his position after gathering endorsements and motivating supporters to canvass the ward. Ward 5 is in the city's southwest, mostly south of the Kern River and west of Gosford Road.

"We think we made some good headway. We're excited and we think that we got this and we're looking forward to the final numbers," he said. "We're very excited with the results and we look forward to getting the final numbers. But I think, in the end, we're going to prevail."

Bashirtash, who as director of operations for Love Automotive Group oversees two Bakersfield car dealerships, said he's "excited either way."

"I'm happy to be ahead and look forward to getting to work," Bashirtash said. He added that he's pleased the election is over after rival campaigning "got nasty" in recent weeks.

"Hopefully I win and I can get to work," Bashirtash said. "I love to work."

Ward 6 is generally east of Gosford Road and west of Highway 99. Truxtun Avenue is its northern boundary and Panama Lane is its southern limit.