Political Party:
Democrat
Ballot Designation:
Emergency Room Nurse
Law Enforcement Contributions:
None as of 4/16/26
Background:
Ana Palacio is a registered nurse and patient care advocate at Kern Medical in Bakersfield, with professional experience in emergency care and crisis response. Her work focuses on supporting patients facing complex medical, mental health, and socioeconomic challenges.
Public Safety Platform:
Palacio does not outline a traditional public safety platform focused on policing or incarceration. Instead, she frames public safety through community care, emphasizing homelessness prevention, mental health care, housing stability, and access to basic services. Her approach centers on addressing root causes of instability rather than enforcement or punishment. She is also endorsed by the Working Families Party.
Although her public safety platform is slightly vague, Palacio appears to be the candidate most aligned with IJ Action’s progressive values and we therefore recommend that voters support her for AD 35.
Website:
https://www.voteanapalacio.com/
Political Party:
Democrat
Ballot Designation:
Councilmember/Nonprofit Director
Law Enforcement Contributions:
None as of 4/16/26
Background:
Andrae Gonzales is a Bakersfield City Councilmember and current Vice Mayor with a background in public service and nonprofit leadership. He has served on the City Council since 2016 and previously served on the Bakersfield City School District Board. Professionally, he leads a nonprofit providing financial support to adults with mental disabilities and has been involved in local efforts around housing, homelessness, and economic development.
Public Safety Platform:
Gonzales does not outline a clear public safety platform. While his broader work includes housing and homelessness initiatives, his record on the City Council has not reflected a progressive approach to public safety. He has leaned toward more moderate, enforcement-aligned positions and declined to engage in reform-focused endorsement processes, signaling alignment with more traditional public safety approaches rather than community-based reform strategies.
Website:
Political Party:
Republican
Ballot Designation:
Mayor/Teacher
Law Enforcement Contributions:
Background:
Ayon worked as a deputy with the Kern County Sheriff’s Department for 25 years. He currently serves as Mayor of McFarland after being elected to the City Council in 2020. He is also a high school criminal justice instructor.
Public Safety Platform:
Ayon outlines a traditional tough-on-crime public safety platform centered on expanding law enforcement and increasing penalties. Backed by many law enforcement organizations, including the Kern Law Enforcement Association, the Peace Officers Research Association of California, and Kern County Sheriff Donny Youngblood, he emphasizes support for police and prioritizes punishment, with no indication of investment in prevention or community-based safety strategies.
Website:
