Our View: Re-elect McCarthy, Fong; elect Grove to 16th District Senate

The recent realignment of Kern County’s supervisorial Districts is costing some of us the effective representation we’ve come to enjoy.

Thankfully, in state and federal races, we get a chance to keep the people who have helped us along the way and put another back in office.

It’s easy to see why we want to keep Congressman Kevin McCarthy representing California’s 23rd Congressional District, Vince Fong in the California Assembly and send Shannon Grove back to Sacramento for a second round of fighting for Kern County, this time in the State Senate.

McCarthy hasn’t just done a good job for his District, which covers a large and diverse area, he’s one of the nation’s leaders.

In these tumultuous times, having McCarthy’s calm and non-confrontational approach to governing is a huge asset to everyone. We’ve known that for a long time here and the diverse interests that make up the 23rd District have all profited from his representation in the California Assembly and now in Congress.

From the oilfields of the west side, to the agricultural fields of the southern San Joaquin Valley to the military and civilian aerospace interests in Eastern Kern County, we’ve always found a sympathetic and a strong, reasonable voice in the nation’s Capitol.

Let’s keep it that way and reelect McCarthy.

Fong has represented the 34th Assembly District, which encompasses most of Kern County including Bakersfield, Bear Valley Springs, China Lake, Frazier Park, Golden Hills, Inyokern, Lebec, Oildale, Ridgecrest, Taft, and Tehachapi, with an approach that is very similar to McCarthy’s.

And it’s no wonder. Fong learned a lot working as district director for McCarthy. He doesn’t pick fights, but strongly represents the values and interests of his District in everything from boosting small businesses, using his position to help the local oil industry and develop a sensible state energy policy.

He’s also been heavily involved in bringing more attention and funding for the treatment of Valley Fever, a sometimes debilitating and even fatal disease endemic to the area.

Fong is a major asset to the District and we couldn’t ask for a more capable assemblyman. We need him back for a second term.

Grove is cut from a different mold than Fong or McCarthy.

She’s not going to compromise or mince words when it comes to the issues that matter, and sometimes having a fighter in your corner is the best thing.

She’s been termed out of the Assembly and is now running to replace Jean Fuller, who is leaving the State Senate after being termed out herself.

Electing Grove to the 16th Senate District gives us another passionate voice for the small business owner, developer and anyone else who’s been held up by red tape and too many regulations.

How effective can she be?

Perhaps Taft developer Bob Colston said it best.

He struggled with environmental regulations for more than a decade trying to build a residential development on the western edge of Taft.

Finally, Grove made a phone call and the red tape started disappearing.

Colston as able to start building his homes, something Taft badly needs. He gives all the credit to Grove.

“We would be waiting for it I’m almost sure if it wasn’t for Shannon,” he said.

She’s well known and well liked in the Indian Wells Valley and shares many of Ridgecrest’s conservative values.

We need someone like Grove representing us in Sacramento.

http://www.ridgecrestca.com/news/20180505/our-view-re-elect-mccarthy-fong-elect-grove-to-16th-district-senate