FREEMAN WINS WARD 5

Retired developer Bruce Freeman cruised to victory in Ward 5 special election.Freeman had 62% to union tradesman Ryan Nance’s 32% with all precincts reporting. Stay-at-home-dad Noel Pineo carried 5%.

Freeman said at his watch party in downtown Bakersfield that the outside union support that financed much of Nance’s campaign was not well received by local voters. The former President of Castle & Cook hopes to help Bakersfield do a better job selling itself as a good place for business when he is seated on the council. That would follow certification of the election which must happen within 30 days.

Sean Michael Lisle