Latest news with #StanEllis
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Kern lawmakers not on board with Newsom's redistricting fight
Kern County's local lawmakers universally condemned proposals from Gov. Gavin Newsom to redraw the state's congressional district, but were mostly quiet about efforts by other states to do the same thing. The offices of each of Kern County's six lawmakers in the state Legislature and U.S. House of Representatives did not respond to The Californian's specific questions on the matter, but did give a statement on the plans in California largely defending the state's independent redistricting committee. "No political party should manipulate redistricting for their own gain. California voters have made it clear: Politicians shouldn't draw their own maps," Assemblyman Stan Ellis, R-Bakersfield, said in an email. "Gov. Newsom's efforts to skew the lines for more seats undermine democracy. We must prioritize the will of the people over partisan politics and uphold fair representation," he said. Yet a defense of democracy is precisely what Newsom and his supporters say California is trying to do. "He knows he's going to lose in the midterms, and we have the opportunity to de-facto end the Trump presidency in less than 18 months," Newsom told reporters on Aug. 4. "That's what's at stake. That's why we're putting a stake in the ground. We're not drawing lines just to draw lines; we're holding the line on democracy." Newsom was referring to efforts by the state of Texas to potentially redraw four of its Congressional districts. Current plans from Republican lawmakers in that state could potentially add five Republicans to the already narrowly divided U.S. House. Texas Democrats have fled the state in an effort to stall the process. Several governors — Democrats in Illinois and New York, Republicans in Ohio and Missouri — have indicated their willingness to enlist their state in a gerrymandering arms race if other states do the same. Newsom has met with state legislative leaders and suggested holding a special session on the matter. But Kern County's state lawmakers from both parties said they're not interested. "The governor's efforts to gerrymander Congressional districts is pure politics and voters will see it for what it is — an end run around the state's voter approved redistricting commission," state Sen. Shannon Grove, R-Bakersfield, said in a statement. "I support Congressman Kevin Kiley's efforts to pass a federal law prohibiting changes to congressional district lines as the best solution to this partisan mess being created," she said. Kiley, a Placer County Republican, has proposed legislation that would prevent any new state maps from taking effect before 2030. Kern County's Democratic state Sen. Melissa Hurtado, did not respond to request for comment. Delano Assembly member Dr. Jasmeet Bains called efforts in Texas "an affront to democracy" and said she opposed any effort to circumvent independent redistricting. "(Texas') gerrymandered maps are an electoral fraud. I will not sit by and watch two political parties destroy the concept of fair elections," Bains said in an email. "This has become a race to the bottom where an eye for an eye will make the whole world blind. We don't need more ways for politicians to rig the system." Bains also called for courts to intervene. But that's not likely to happen, according to UCLA law professor Richard Hansen. "In 2019 the (U.S.) Supreme Court in the Rucho case held that federal courts would not intervene against partisan gerrymandering," Hansen said in an email. That decision — decided in a 5-4 split between the courts conservative and liberal justices — found the court had no 'judicially manageable standard' for determining at what point a partisan gerrymander becomes unconstitutional. The issue is particularly complex for Bains, who recently announced she was running for California's 22nd Congressional District, meaning she would be voting to redraw the very districts she's looking to win. The Associated Press reported Monday one of the proposals currently being considered in California includes the 22nd as one of the districts that would see right-leaning voters shaved and Democratic voters boosted, a shift that would make it likely a left-leaning candidate would prevail in each race. The district is currently held by U.S. Rep. David Valadao, one of California's nine Congressional Republicans. Even before the redistricting issue, the 22nd was seen as one of the most competitive in the nation with candidates able to pull in millions of dollars from outside donors. In an email, Valadao's campaign strategist Robert Jones defended the state's independent redistricting commission. "California voters made it clear in 2008 that they wanted an independent commission, not partisan politicians like Jasmeet Bains, drawing their own districts for their own personal gain," Jones said. "That's corruption of the highest order." Bains' role in the potential redistricting quickly became fodder for Republican campaigners. In a statement Wednesday morning, regional spokesman for the National Republican Congressional Committee Christian Martinez accused Bains of supporting Newsom's redistricting plans. Martinez acknowledged in a text to The Californian he had not seen a statement from Bains regarding the issue. On Thursday, after Bains made statement condemning the governor's plan, Martinez released a new statement calling on Bains to recuse herself from the process. Kern County's other congressional Republican, Vince Fong, said partisan gerrymandering was precisely what Californians voted against when they overwhelmingly supported the creation of the independent redistricting commission. "Newsom, flanked by Texas Democrats, announced that he stands ready to take power away from the Citizens Commission and place it back into the hands of Sacramento politicians to further his left-wing political agenda," Fong said in an email. "As a delegation we will fight any attempt to disenfranchise California voters by whatever means necessary to ensure the will of the people continues to be reflected in redistricting and in our elections." Any new electoral maps drafted by the state Legislature would have to be approved by voters in California. It's not clear whether the public would approve of the measures. Several groups have come forward calling on the state not to abandon its independent redistricting process even as other states move to boost the number of seats for a specific party. "Our feeling is that once you break that safeguard, you don't just risk the one election. You set a precedent that future politicians could use," said Helen Hutchinson, interim executive director for the League of Women Voters of California. Hutchinson said Californians worked hard to take redistricting out of the hands of politicians and completely circumvent the process was "a race to the bottom." "We really understand that urgency and we think that authoritarianism is not an abstract. It's here and it's really dangerous," Hutchinson said. "But we think the way to fight it is not to abandon one of our greatest democratic reforms here in California, the idea is to lead with ideas and policies that inspire voters, not with shortcuts that further erode public trust in the government."
Yahoo
05-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Ellis sworn in as 32nd state assemblyman
Bakersfield Republican Stan Ellis was sworn in Monday as the assemblyman for the 32nd District following his election victory last week. "I am deeply honored to serve the people of the 32nd District," Ellis said in a statement. "In the Assembly, I will champion policies that bolster our local economy, ensure our energy future is both sustainable and reliable, and stand up for the principles that matter most to our community." Ellis, a longtime business owner and entrepreneur, was sworn in by Assembly Republican Leader James Gallagher, Chico, in a ceremony Monday afternoon. Ellis won 64.7% of the vote in the Feb. 25 special primary election and under state law, candidates who secure more than half of the vote in a primary election are automatically awarded the office. There were three other candidates in the race, Libertarian William Brown of Visalia; Democrat Chris Cruz-Boone of Bakersfield; and Republican Holli Willibey of Frazier Park. The 32nd District seat has been vacant since last May when former Assemblyman Vince Fong won a special election to fill out the remainder of former Rep. Kevin McCarthy's term. McCarthy was outsted as speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives in October 2023 and resigned from Congress later that year. The seat was meant to be filled in the November general election, but Fong — whose name appeared twice on the ballot to due a bureaucratic conflict — won both his old Assembly seat and his Congressional seat, and chose the latter.
Yahoo
04-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
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. Bicyclist identified after fatal crash on Edison Highway 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. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
26-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Stan Ellis wins California District 32 Assembly seat in special election
Stan Ellis won the Feb. 25 special election for the District 32 California State Assembly seat. Republican candidate Ellis received 32,337 votes, or 63.9% of the total, more than the simple majority needed to avoid a runoff election. Democratic candidate Chris Cruz-Boone received 14,741 votes, or 29.1%. Another Republican candidate, Holli Willibey, was third with 2,306 votes (4.6%). Libertarian candidate William Brown, Jr. received 1,191 votes (2.4%). In Tulare County, Ellis received 8,742 votes (61.4%), Cruz-Boone received 4,559 votes (32%), Willibey had 576 votes (4%), and Brown received 362 votes (2.5%). Assembly District 32 includes parts of Tulare and Kern Counties. In Tulare County, the district includes all or parts of Visalia, Exeter, Kaweah, Springville, and Three Rivers. In Tulare County, 16.4% of the 87,554 registered voters in District 32 voted. In Kern County, 15.7% of the 232,315 registered voters in the district voted. Ellis is a farmer and businessman, having started businesses in oil, agriculture, chemical process, and reclamation. He is also accomplished in quantum physics. According to his website, 'His work in quantum physics includes innovations in quantum communication, quantum networking, and the development of revolutionary medical research and treatment using quantum entanglement.' Gov. Gavin Newsom called for this special election because Vince Fong, who won the Assembly seat in the November election, at the same time also won his first full term to the U.S. Congress representing California's 20th District. 'I am truly honored and humbled by the overwhelming support,' Ellis said in a press release. 'This victory is a clear message that our communities want common-sense leadership that puts working families and our future first. 'A special thank you to my friend Congressman Vince Fong for his years of dedicated service to our district,' he continued. 'He has set a strong foundation, and I look forward to building upon his work to ensure the Central Valley continues to thrive.' This article originally appeared on Visalia Times-Delta: Republican Stan Ellis wins California Assembly seat in special election
Yahoo
26-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
GOP Candidate Stan Ellis hosts Assembly District 32 election watch party at Crystal Palace
BAKERSFIELD, (KGET) — Votes are pouring in from the 32nd Assembly District, which includes parts of Kern and Tulare counties. Early results are in, showing Stan Ellis with a commanding lead against other candidates. The cowboy playing the electric guitar is Assembly District 32 Republican candidate Stan Ellis. GOP candidate Stan Ellis has big lead in race for vacant 32nd Assembly District seat Per early results, Ellis is in a solid lead in both Kern and Tulare counties. With the Kern Republican Party unified behind Ellis, the 72-year-old led a high-profile, well-funded campaign. Supporters say it's his name ID and long-time community presence that did it for him. 'Stan has been a Republican for many years. He's worked on many campaigns, he's donated money to campaigns, he's also a conservative,' Kern GOP Central Committee Chairman Clayton Campbell said. Ellis has been a loyal Kern Republican, standing behind the party. But this time, the party stood behind him. 'The reciprocity is like wow,' GOP AD-32 Candidate Stan Ellis said. Ellis is also a regular performer at Buck Owens Crystal Palace, where his watch party was held Tuesday night. He felt it was time to give public service a go, after decades in business and local GOP leaders agree. Never miss a story: Make your homepage 'There were many of us that urged him, now is the time, Stan. And I'm just so thrilled and excited that he's here,' Connie Conway, Former Tulare County Congresswoman said. Republican Holli Willibey, Democrat Chris Cruz-Boone and Libertarian William Brown are the other AD-32 candidates. None of them hosted election result watch parties, but Chris Cruz-Boone joined 17 News at 11. Cruz-Boone is in second place. 'I feel really good about the numbers. Most of all, I'm proud of voters in Tulare and Kern counties for turn out,' AD-32 Candidate Dr. Chris Cruz-Boone said. If no candidate wins a majority of the vote, there will be a run off AD-32 special election in April. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
