Gleason district director receives major endorsements

Two candidates have declared their intent to run for Kern County First District Supervisor.

Phillip Peters of Bakersfield and Kern River Valley resident Daures Stephens both announced their intent to run this week.

Peters is current Supervisor Mick Gleason’s district director and part owner of two businesses in Bakersfield. He also served as a Kern High School District trustee from 2014 to 2018.

Stephens is a graduate of Sherman E. Burroughs High School in Ridgecrest, and a U.S. Marine Corps veteran who served four years.

Stephens also worked as a Kern County Sheriff’s deputy from 1986 to 2012, in which time he served in Bakersfield, Tehachapi, Kern Valley and the Indian Wells Valley. He’s been decorated with the Award of Valor after he rescued two residents and their pets from a burning building in Inyokern.

Stephens currently serves in his second term as a trustee on the South Fork Union School District in the Kern River Valley, and is also a small business owner.

“Daures Stephens has an intimate knowledge of Kern County and its diversity of people, industry and challenges facing the County of Kern,” his campaign statement notes. “Daures looks forward to continuing his dedicated service to the County of Kern and people of the First District.”

Stephens is likely to face a vertical battle against Peters ahead of the March primary.

Peters comes to the table with a long list of endorsements from both Gleason and Kern’s top Republicans, including Congressman Kevin McCarthy, State Sen. Shannon Grove and Assemblyman Vince Fong.

“Phillip is the strong conservative leader that Kern County needs,” said McCarthy in a news release from Peters campaign office.

Grove echoed McCarthy’s words.

“I’ve known Phillip all his life. He is a dedicated public servant and I’m confident he is the right leader for Kern County’s future,” Grove said.

Fong praised Peters’ ability to find solutions.

“Phillip has proven himself as a thoughtful leader committed to solving problems. Now more than ever we need new young leaders willing to step up to address our community’s challenges,” said Assemblyman Vince Fong.

In addition to the endorsements secured by state and federal leaders, Peters also gained the endorsements of Gleason, Ridgecrest Mayor Peggy Breeden and city councilman Scott Hayman.

“Phillip Peters is a strong ally of the Ridgecrest community,” Mayor Breeden said in a statement. “As a Supervisor, he will continue to make sure we have a voice within Kern County.”

Of his district director, Gleason said, “Phillip knows this district and the issues facing the Board. He is the right choice to lead Kern County.”

Gleason on Tuesday introduced Peters to community members at a Ridgecrest Chamber of Commerce lunch.

“I needed to know in my heart that when I left I had someone I knew I could trust carry the torch and keep the focus on East Kern, do it with integrity and class and dignity and with active participation in this community,” Gleason said.

Peters gave his own introduction, noting he officially pulled papers to run on Tuesday and that it was his first official announcement “in what has probably been the worst kept secret over the past three weeks.”

Peters had originally confirmed with The Bakersfield Californian in October that he planned to run in Gleason’s place.

“Mick said that Ridgecrest is the heart and soul of Kern County, there’s no doubt about it,” Peters said. “No amount of redistricting will change that … I want everyone to know that Ridgecrest is a priority for me.”

He said that when elected Ridgecrest would “continue to have a strong ally on the board.”

“I want to thank Mick for his mentorship and support over the past few years and his leadership with the county issues we’ve been facing,” Peters said. “There has been a lot of good work done in past few years, but there still has a lot left to be done. I know with all your support we can continue to succeed in keeping the ball in the field do things for Ridgecrest.

Dick Taylor, a third individual whose name surfaced earlier this year as a potential candidate released a statement over the weekend bowing out of any race for the seat.

“Based on my 27 years running our family business, military record, experience service as a county department head, and knowledge of the district, I've been urged by many community leaders and friends to run for District 1 of the Kern County Board of Supervisors,” Taylor said. “Having first moved into the district in 1979 after my honorable discharge from the Marine Corps, I consider it a great honor to be approached to run for this office.”

Taylor is a long-time veterans advocate living in Bakersfield, and served as the Kern County Veterans Services director until he retired last year. He still serves as the department’s volunteer coordinator.

“However, after a lot of thought and research, I have decided to not seek election in March 2020 as District 1 Supervisor,” Taylor said. “My hope is that a candidate arises to represent this incredible district who possesses the necessary experience, character, trustworthiness, maturity, and statesmanship befitting the highest leadership position in the county. I want to sincerely thank everyone who has offered their support and I continue to be proud of all the work happening in our great county.”