Bernita Jenkins

This page was current at the end of the individual's last campaign covered by Ballotpedia. Please contact us with any updates.

Bernita Jenkins

Nonpartisan

Elections and appointments

Last election

November 5, 2024

Education

High school

West High School

Bachelor's

California State University, Bakersfield, 1999

Personal

Birthplace

Los Angeles, Calif.

Religion

Christian

Profession

Retired

Contact

Campaign website

Campaign Facebook

Campaign Instagram

Campaign TikTok

Personal LinkedIn

Bernita Jenkins ran in a special election to the Kern County Board of Supervisors to represent District 2 in California. She lost in the special general election on November 5, 2024.

Jenkins completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2024. Click here to read the survey answers.

Biography

Bernita Jenkins was born in Los Angeles, California. She graduated from West High School. She earned a bachelor's degree from California State University, Bakersfield, in 1999. She is retired.

Elections

2024

See also: Municipal elections in Kern County, California (2024)

General election

Special general election for Kern County Board of Supervisors District 2

The following candidates ran in the special general election for Kern County Board of Supervisors District 2 on November 5, 2024.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Chris Parlier (Nonpartisan)	31.8	17,754
		Dale Cisneros (Nonpartisan)	22.9	12,801
		Bernita Jenkins (Nonpartisan)	15.5	8,668
	Submit photo	Kelly L. Carden Jr. (Nonpartisan)	10.8	6,050
		Ben Dewell (Nonpartisan)	10.8	6,039
	Submit photo	Pete Graff (Nonpartisan)	8.2	4,578

---

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 55,890
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Endorsements

Ballotpedia did not identify endorsements for Jenkins in this election.

Campaign themes

2024

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection

Bernita Jenkins completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2024. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Jenkins' responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.

Expand all | Collapse all

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

My husband (deceased) and I are the proud parents of four beautiful children. We lived a life of fun and love. I now have seven grandchildren who are the lights behind the twinkle of my eyes. I started working at the age of 16 and retired at 65. I have worked as salesclerk, support staff to teacher with KHSD, and as a Union Representative. In all of my positions, I have learned that listening to the concerns/issues/problems of the people has helped me to be the leader to resolutions.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

• Combating Homelessness-pulling together volunteers from every County department to form a Task Force. This Task Force will format a consistent and continuous program to encourage and assist the homeless to find a better life.
• Supporting Public Safety-improving law enforcement coverage in the outline areas in an effort to reduce crime. These law enforcement officers are also used to assist other County employees when visiting homes. But when there are not enough in the area there is no one there to protect the employees. Public Safety includes assisting and ensuring the proper water supply is delivered to needed areas. Animal shelters are in place to collected unattended animals. This is only a two-year term, but we can complete some of the projects.
• Reducing County Waste-trash is immense within our County and unfortunately, we need more workers to keep the entire County clean. But the Board of Supervisors and CAO are looking to freeze all open positions. Once the positions are gone it will be difficult replace because all funds come from Federal and State funding. When positions are cut this causes extra work on already overworked employees and there will be residents who will not be helped.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

I believe if we had more qualified psychiatrists, therapists, and support staff for the mental illness plaquing our County. Many of the homeless are suffering from mental illness and drug addiction that affects our community. We need the qualified individuals who will work with these residents and assist in bringing them in off the street. This might be a project for Kern Medical.

Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?

Dr. King and the Honorable John Lewis. We must get into 'Good Trouble' for the people using our minds and heart, serving all people.

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

I believe all public servants must embodied honesty, integrity and willingness to serve the people.

What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?

First, I hold firm to my beliefs, in Christianity and politically. I have learned to work for all the people, especially those who hold hatred towards me. Secondly, when I see a need I make all the moves to address to a resolution. Thirdly, I believe in working hard. Lastly, but not really, I see people for who they are at first introduction. I do not hold any preconceive ideas about who you are until I am shown something different. All of these qualities and more will help me to navigate through some of the most difficult time while seated at the dais bringing solutions forward. Success to me is being able to help someone else to move forward.

What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?

This is a nonpartisan seat and it is important for whomever is elected to remember this word 'nonpartisan'. A nonpartisan public servant will work to serve all the people and will not have special interest group(s) to whom they are obligated. A nonpartisan public servant listens to all the people and works with them to a resolution that all have agreed upon. It is time to take our government away from the corrupt establishments and give the voice to the people. The nonpartisan public servant who is elected to this short two year term must be able to resolve as many issues of the 2nd District as possible. The nonpartisan public servant must have a staff who mirrors the elected official and is attentive to all areas of 2nd District. The nonpartisan public servant must work to resolve as many of the issues in the District as possible and to improve work life of County employees.

What legacy would you like to leave?

In every job I have held I have always wanted to leave the impression of a job well done. When I leave the 2nd District Supervisor position I want the residents to know they have been served. I want them to look for another advocate like me: someone who is there to serve and give service.

What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?

President John F. Kennedy's assassination at the age of 5.

What was your very first job? How long did you have it?

Salesclerk for Sears, Roebuck and Company for 9 1/2 years

What is your favorite book? Why?

'Walking with the Wind A Memoir of the Movement' by John Lewis
The book gives detail of a time in history that should never be forgotten by anyone. It also reminds us of how far we have not come and we, African Americans, are still fighting to receive all of the rights afforded to the people of these United States.

If you could be any fictional character, who would you want to be?

Black Panther or Baloo: Black Panther because he was protector of all people with love and strength. Baloo because he was fun loving and always watchful of those in his care.

What was the last song that got stuck in your head?

'Draw me nearer' and 'The best thing that ever happened to me' they keep colliding together.

What is something that has been a struggle in your life?

I have struggle the past seven years over the death of my husband. It was strange but designed by God. I have struggled in the sense that we had a great marriage and that is missed.

What are your views on financial transparency and government accountability?

One of the major problems with most government entities, today, is the lack of transparency and accountability because politicians do not want the electorate to know how their monies are being handled. We, the people, have forgotten we the right to know where our money is spent and how; however, we do not pay attention or ask. We tend allow the establishments or special interest or a few loud voices to speak for the whole. It is the responsibility of those who are elected to inform and provide to the public of all financial decisions. The transparency must be easily accessible for all people. Everyone, all residents, is responsible for educating themselves and asking questions of our elected officials for clarity.

Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.

See also

2024 Elections

What's on the ballot? U.S. President U.S. Congress U.S. Congress special elections State executives State legislatures State courts Ballot measures Municipal government School boards Election analysis hub

Government

Who represents me? U.S. Congress State executives State legislators State courts Ballot measures Municipal government School boards

Newsletters

The Daily Brew The Weekly Brew The Ballot Bulletin Checks and Balances Economy and Society Hall Pass Number of the Day Robe & Gavel

External links

Search Google News for this topic

Candidate

Kern County Board of Supervisors District 2

Website

Facebook

Instagram

TikTok

Personal

LinkedIn