Bakersfield Ward 2 May Face Vacancy as Gonzales Leads Assembly Race

UPDATE — November 7, 2026: Gonzales has now confirmed his last day as a Bakersfield councilmember will be November 19, as he prepares to take a seat in California’s Assembly District 35 by early December. Reporting by 23ABC on November 7 describes a possible vacancy petition followed, if the statutory conditions and council certifications are met, by a special election in a 90–180-day window. That is a potential process, not a special election already scheduled. Separately, Kern County Supervisor David Couch is preparing to leave District 4 for Assembly District 32. Those offices have distinct vacancy procedures and the county process is covered separately. The account below records the earlier November 6 status.

BAKERSFIELD, KERN COUNTY — Friday, November 6, 2026. Bakersfield’s City Council could soon be facing a vacancy in Ward 2 as sitting Councilmember Andrae Gonzales leads the race to represent California’s 35th Assembly District. Gonzales said the council’s November 18 meeting would be his last, according to reporting by Peter Segall of The Bakersfield Californian on November 5. The election results remain unofficial, so the legal timing of a vacant seat and how it will be filled should not be treated as settled until the city acts.

What changes if Gonzales leaves the council?

Ward 2 residents currently have a council representative serving a geographically defined area. A departure to the California Legislature would require the city to follow its charter, municipal election law and applicable vacancy procedures. The city must decide which legally available process to use; an appointment or special election should not be presented as already authorized by the November 3 vote.

When could Ward 2 vote again?

In a November 6 statement published by 23ABC/KERO, the City of Bakersfield explained that calling a special election requires a resolution at least 140 days before the election date. The city said the earliest possible special election would be November 2027, rather than March 2027. That is a statement about the earliest feasible timetable, not confirmation that any specific election has been scheduled.

New council representation beyond Ward 2

In separate Ward 4, longtime Councilmember Bob Smith told 23ABC he had conceded his reelection race after 14 years in office. In Ward 3, Cassie Bittle leads the race for an open seat, based on current results. These changes are separate from the District 35 state legislative election, which features Gonzales and McFarland Mayor Saul Ayon. They should not be combined into a single citywide council vote.

The issue voters raised most

Both Assembly candidates told local reporters that residents repeatedly discussed the cost of living, including housing expenses. A future council representative will participate in municipal decisions on local development, public services, infrastructure and city budgets; a state assemblymember will work on statewide legislation. The two offices have different legal powers.

What residents should watch

Ward 2 voters can follow upcoming Bakersfield City Council agendas, including November 18, for any resignation announcement, vacancy resolution, appointment proposal or public hearing. Until an official action is taken, speculation about a successor should not be reported as a decision. Election officials will continue the general-election canvass before certifying the final state race.

Sources: 23ABC/KERO, November 6, 2026 (including City of Bakersfield statement); Bakersfield Californian reporting by Peter Segall, November 5; Kern County Elections. No successor or special election date has been declared.

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