Kevin Oliver (California)
Kevin Oliver ran for election to the Bakersfield City Council to represent Ward 5 in California. He lost in the general election on November 5, 2024.
Oliver completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2024. Click here to read the survey answers.
Biography
Kevin Oliver was born in Riverside, California. He served in the U.S. Navy from 1981 to 1984. He earned a high school diploma from Dos Pueblos Sr. High School. His career experience includes working as a business owner, real estate broker, investor, planning commissioner and civil service commissioner. He has been affiliated with Bakersfield Police Activities League, Rotary International, and the Salvation Army.[1]
Elections
2024
See also: City elections in Bakersfield, California (2024)
General election
General election for Bakersfield City Council Ward 5
Larry Koman defeated Mike Madrigal and Kevin Oliver in the general election for Bakersfield City Council Ward 5 on November 5, 2024.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | Larry Koman (Nonpartisan) | 43.6 | 10,604 | |
| Mike Madrigal (Nonpartisan) | 39.0 | 9,483 | ||
 | Kevin Oliver (Nonpartisan)  | 17.3 | 4,210 | |
| Total votes: 24,297 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
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Endorsements
Ballotpedia did not identify endorsements for Oliver in this election.
Campaign themes
2024
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
Kevin Oliver completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2024. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Oliver's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.
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As someone deeply invested in our community’s future, I’m also a Kern County Planning Commissioner and a proud board member of the Bakersfield Police Activities League and Rotary International. These roles have given me firsthand insight into the issues we face as a city, from economic growth and public safety to homelessness and infrastructure needs.
I was raised by a single father who was a law enforcement officer, which instilled in me a strong sense of service and accountability. I’m also proud to be a father and grandfather, and my wife Cindy and I have devoted much of our lives to our family and our community.
I’m running for Bakersfield City Council because I believe in the future of our city. I want to ensure that we prioritize public safety, streamline the planning and permitting process to attract business, and address homelessness effectively and humanely. With a focus on fiscal responsibility and creating opportunities for all, I believe we can build a Bakersfield where everyone prospers.- Public Safety and Community Well-being: Ensuring our neighborhoods are safe is a top priority. I’m committed to supporting our law enforcement agencies, reducing business crime, and increasing security throughout the city. By investing in public safety and building stronger partnerships between the community and police, we can create safer streets and a better quality of life for everyone in Bakersfield.
- Addressing Homelessness with Compassion and Accountability: Homelessness is one of the most pressing challenges facing Bakersfield today. I believe in a balanced approach that combines compassionate outreach with firm enforcement of public camping and sleeping laws. We need to expand access to supportive housing, mental health services, and addiction treatment while ensuring that our public spaces remain safe and accessible for everyone. I will work to find real solutions that address the root causes of homelessness, while also enforcing laws to protect our community’s quality of life.
- Economic Growth and Opportunity: I’m focused on fostering a business-friendly environment that attracts new industries and supports local entrepreneurs. Streamlining the planning and permitting process is crucial to driving economic growth, creating jobs, and making Bakersfield a hub for opportunity. I’ll work to ensure that our city’s policies encourage development, innovation, and prosperity for all residents.
1. Public Safety: As someone raised in a law enforcement family, public safety is deeply personal to me.
2. Homelessness and Housing: Homelessness is one of the toughest challenges we face, and I’m dedicated to finding balanced solutions that work.
3. Economic Development: As a business owner, I’m passionate about policies that drive economic growth and create opportunities for all.
1. Integrity: An elected official must always act with honesty and transparency. The decisions we make impact real people, so it’s critical that those decisions are guided by ethical principles and a genuine commitment to serving the public good—not personal or political gain. Integrity fosters trust, and trust is the foundation of good leadership.
2. Accountability: Elected officials are stewards of the public’s trust and resources. That means being accountable for every action and decision. I believe in being open with the community, owning up to mistakes, and ensuring that taxpayer dollars are used wisely and effectively. Accountability means keeping your promises and always putting the interests of the people first.
3. Service-Oriented Leadership: At the heart of public office is a duty to serve. It’s essential to listen to the concerns of the community, understand their needs, and work tirelessly to represent their best interests. Leadership isn’t about wielding power; it’s about making positive change and improving the lives of those you represent.
1. Integrity: I have always prided myself on being honest and transparent in everything I do. I believe that trust is the foundation of effective leadership, and I will always act in the best interest of the community, holding myself accountable to the people I serve.
2. Leadership Experience: With decades of experience as a business owner, real estate broker, and community advocate, I’ve developed the skills to lead, solve complex problems, and bring people together to get things done. My time in these roles has taught me the importance of strategic thinking and collaboration, which are key to making a real impact in public office.
3. Commitment to Service: Having been raised by a single father in law enforcement, service has always been a core value for me. Whether it’s through my work with the Bakersfield Police Activities League, Rotary International, or as a Kern County Planning Commissioner, I’ve always been driven by a deep desire to give back to my community. This commitment to serving others is what motivates me to run for office and work toward creating a better future for Bakersfield.
1. Representing the Community’s Interests: It’s essential to listen to the concerns and needs of the people I serve, advocating for policies that reflect their priorities. Being an effective voice for residents means staying connected to the community and actively engaging with their issues.
2. Ensuring Effective Governance: An elected official must ensure that city government operates efficiently, making sure that services like public safety, infrastructure, and economic development are effectively managed. This involves working with colleagues, city staff, and other stakeholders to create solutions that improve the quality of life for everyone.
3. Stewardship of Public Resources: One of the most important responsibilities is managing taxpayer dollars wisely. This means being fiscally responsible, ensuring transparency in how funds are used, and making sure the city’s budget aligns with the needs and priorities of the community.
I want my legacy to reflect the idea that leadership is about service, not power. I hope that through my efforts, I can help build a city where families feel safe, businesses thrive, and the community takes pride in how we care for one another. If I can inspire others to give back, get involved, and continue building on the progress we’ve made, then I will have left the kind of lasting impact that truly matters.
- Why don’t skeletons fight each other?**
- Why don’t skeletons fight each other?**
Government accountability goes hand in hand with transparency. Elected officials must be held to the highest standards and be accountable for their decisions. That means being open about the rationale behind policy choices, listening to constituents, and always prioritizing the public interest over personal or political gain. I believe in fostering a culture of integrity within government, where officials are responsible stewards of public resources and where there is no tolerance for misuse of funds or unethical behavior. These principles guide my approach and will remain central to my service if elected.
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
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ Information submitted to Ballotpedia through the Candidate Connection survey on October 4, 2024
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