While Democrats across the nation were saddened by the loss of their party’s majority in the House of Representatives, in Kern County democrats were celebrating on Nov. 2.
Upon seeing the polls, which showed him far ahead of his competitor, California State Sen. Michael Rubio spoke to his supporters.
“At the end of the day, we’ve always fundamentally believed that together, working as one, Republican, Democrat or independent, we are first and foremost Americans, and we’ve got to get this valley moving forward,” said Rubio.
“The Central Valley is the poorest region not only in the state of California but the entire United States of America. It has the greatest challenge with respect to young people getting education, the ability to see a doctor when they’re sick or a mother and father to get employed so they can provide for their families.
“These are the issues we must tackle in Sacramento – that’s what we want to tackle when we get to Sacramento, and so it is joining together and working as one in which we’re going to get there,” said Rubio.
While taking time to thank his wife, family and God during his speech Rubio also acknowledged the contribution of voters to his campaign.
“Let’s face it by getting the vote count – which we did – that meant that we got a few republicans to vote for us. And we did that because we showed we can work across party lines and get stuff done,” said Rubio.
“I’m energetic and eager to get to work in Sacramento,” said Rubio.
While Rubio celebrated in the Padre Hotel, other candidates waited for results in more subdued environments. Surrounded by family in a union hall, Bakersfield City Council member Rudy Salas Jr. and former State Assembly candidate Fran Florez were on hand.
“I feel great right now, I just hope the numbers continue to hold. We put in a lot of hard work so to actually see some of the results come in we’re very happy,” said Salas Jr. while watching results come in.
The polling forecasts that indicated that Republicans would gain a majority in the House of Representatives were discouraging to local Democrats who were relieved to find that the Democratic Party still had control of the Senate and Jerry Brown’s victory in the gubernatorial election.
“We had some good victories here,” said Dolores Huerta, co-founder of the United Farm Workers of America. “I think it will be good for working people.”
While sounds of joy and grief filled the air on election night, locals also reflected on the past two years of politics and changes to the political landscape on a national level.
“I feel like we had an opportunity with Democrats controlling both houses and President Obama getting elected to really push an agenda further than we did,” said Jeremy Wright, regional political coordinator for the United Domestic Workers of America 3930. “We got healthcare, but it wasn’t what anyone initially envisioned, but we did do something. We just had a window of time, and now it seems like it slipped away.”
While many were expressing concern over the results, Laborers Union Treasurer Manuel Monsibais said, “These guys can go out and cry if they want or be happy. They all got out and did what they were supposed to do. Every candidate out there has done their best to get their word out. Now that it’s over, it’s time to step back and see what happens.”