A western background and the colors red, white and blue were the theme at the Republican Party at the old Rockin’ Rodeo on election night, Nov. 7.
The building was surrounded by huge red, white and blue signs promoting Republican runners such as: Poochigan, Ashburn, McCarthy and Gilmore. Photos of Bush, Cheney, Ashburn, Fuller and McCarthy also were in the building.
Three plasma screens were set on Fox News with the complete coverage of the elections.
The vibe inside the building was comfortable and pleasing.
Young people, older people as well as children gathered to support and rally their Republican Party candidates. And in most cases it seemed like the entire group knew each other and had known each other for years.
It was like the show Cheers (everyone knows your name). It was a friendly atmosphere filled with numerous greetings, kisses and hugs. Everyone socialized and visited with each other before and after dinner. Free dinner and drinks were provided.
Overall, it was a quite quaint environment even though Republican candidates nationwide hadn’t done as well as anticipated. Republican candidates were still optimistic and happy about the results because in Bakersfield they defeated Democratic candidates.
But most impressive was the fact that most of the candidates were born and raised in Bakersfield and had even attended Bakersfield College.
Jean Fuller, who won the 32nd District Senate graduated from BC with honors and she won a departmental speech award. Fuller said the best thing she learned at BC was to go to the top person and talk about your needs and wants.
During the time she attended BC she had the opportunity of speaking and getting to know the president of the college.
This in particular is what has helped her all along in meeting with the right people and the right connections.
Fuller was born in Bakersfield and raised in Shafter. She also has served as an educator for 34 years.
Kevin McCarthy, who won the 22nd District Congress also was born and raised in Bakersfield. He also attended Bakersfield College but did not graduate. However, he later became a BC Trustee.
McCarthy said it was fantastic growing up here and that he was very excited for the opportunity of serving in Washington.
Congressman Bill Thomas was formerly an employee at BC and taught political science. Fuller was a former student and some point Thomas denied McCarthy an internship.
Despite the results nation wide Thomas was optimistic about the next two years.
Thomas said there’s no better time than now to send someone [McCarthy] new to Washington.
He also said that “[tonight] wasn’t a (funeral) wake, we still are controlling the gubernatorial seat.”
The local candidates seemed to be extremely happy with the results in Kern County.
Roy Ashburn, who won the 18th District Senate, said he liked working with Gov. Schwarzenegger and President Bush, but his primary responsibility was supporting the positions that people here in [Bakersfield] believe in.
Zack Schrivner, who won the City of Bakersfield Council Member Ward 7, said the election results nationwide were unfortunate, but it gives Republicans nationwide a chance to regroup. They [Republicans] lost sight of leading.
Congressman Thomas said that people were going to regret the mistake they made Tuesday night.
Ken Weir, who also won the City of Bakersfield Council Member Ward 3, also said the results were disappointing but two years from now we have the chance to rectify it.
Overall, all of the candidates and their supporters were content with the results in Kern County. In Bakersfield especially, the Republican Party candidates were very successful in defeating the Democratic Party.
As the night came to a close, supporters rallied and were sociable. They [supporters] wined and dined while watching the election results on plasma screens. A laptop and projector was also set up with the results.
The candidates were also incredibly welcoming and had intimate conversations with fellow colleagues and supporters. The Republican Party was energized and looking forward for the next two years.