04-03-2025
California's 32nd Assembly District: Republican Stan Ellis sworn in as newest Kern County lawmaker
BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) — It's official. Kern County has its newest lawmaker, Assemblymember Stan Ellis.
Following the special election for California's 32nd Assembly District, Ellis was sworn in Monday afternoon. The AD-32 seat had been vacant for nearly a year, since now-Congressman Vince Fong left the post to replace Kevin McCarthy in Congress.
'I'm extremely excited, and I'm extremely honored my constituents voted me into this position. It's pretty awesome,' said the Republican businessman.
Ellis is projected to win the race outright — meaning 50% + 1 of the votes — in the four-candidate special election for AD-32. Ellis leads with 65% of the vote districtwide.
A result not unexpected, given the voter registration of AD-32 — 48% Republican, 25% Democrat.
'It's a pleasure today to welcome a new member to the State Assembly, Stan Ellis, who makes it 20 Republicans here in the State Assembly,' California Assembly GOP Leader James Gallagher told reporters.
The election has not yet been certified — California's Secretary of State has until Thursday to do that — but the way our Legislature works is that if the margin of results is large enough, the apparent winner is sworn in.
'We really need to concentrate on permits and lower the cost of living,' Ellis said of his priorities.
'Let's get water to the Central Valley and lower the cost of living. Let's get our public safety where it needs to be so people can't walk in the grocery store and steal stuff. So, we got some work to do,' he added.
Ellis' victory marks the end to the months-long domino effect spurred by former House Speaker and Bakersfield Congressman Kevin McCarthy's resignation.
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McCarthy's sudden departure from Congress resulted in a scramble to get his protege then-Assemblymember Vince Fong to succeed him.
Once Fong became a congressman, he had to resign from AD-32.
The seat is just now getting filled.
'It's just time to get to work and get representation for the Valley,' Ellis said of the series of political events.
The 72-year-old freshman lawmaker is no stranger to Bakersfield politics, though.
He's been a longtime donor and supporter of the local GOP — which was unified behind Ellis for Assembly.
'We have a red wave in this country, and I hope it continues. I hope folks on the other side of the aisle see where we're headed, and I think that'll impact some of our legislation,' Ellis said.
This marks the end to elections here in Kern County — for now.
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