Bakersfield city councilman Andrae Gonzales has announced his candidacy for the California State Assembly. Gonzales, who represents Ward 2, is the first local candidate to publicly declare his intention to run for State Assembly District 35 currently occupied by Dr. Jasmeet Bains of Delano who hopes to unseat Republican Congressman David Valdao of Hanford.

Gonzales previously launched a campaign for the state assembly in 2023 but withdrew to focus on his council duties.

District 35 encompasses Bakersfield, Delano, Shafter, Wasco, Arvin, McFarland, and parts of unincorporated Kern County.

Gonzales has been a city council member since 2016 and served as vice mayor in 2023, becoming the first Latino to hold that position in Bakersfield’s history.