In 2022, Kern County voters approved Measure J, limiting members of the Kern County Board of Supervisors to a maximum of two four-year terms.

That means 3rd District Supervisor Jeff Flores, who was first elected in 2022, is not only running for reelection, he’s running for his second and final four-year term as supervisor.

“In order to do this job effectively, for the long haul, you really need more than one term,” Flores said. “I have begun a lot of projects and I have completed a lot of projects, but some are still in the queue, and I’d like to see those come to fruition.”

Flores, a Republican, is facing challenger Johnny Olaguez, an independent and business owner who has previously run for Bakersfield City Council.

Born in Modesto, Olaguez was still a child when his large family moved to Kern County. He attended Palla Elementary, Greenfield Middle and Golden Valley High School before studying at UC Santa Barbara.

“I left to pursue business, and I’ve basically been in business since then,” he said.

Flores was born in Los Angeles County and moved to Bakersfield when he was a teenager. He earned a bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of San Diego and a master’s degree in public administration from Cal State Bakersfield. He completed post-graduate work in public relations from the University of Queensland in Australia.

Flores was elected to the Kern High School District Board of Trustees in 2014, and served as a Kern County planning commissioner.

He worked as chief of staff for 12 years in the office of the previous 3rd District Supervisor Mike Maggard.

“I’m proud of the support I’ve received from all the cross sectors of Kern County, from small business, from individual donors, from ag, oil … a good representation of Kern County,” Flores said. “I’m proud of that, that people have confidence in my record and in my future.”

Flores has received endorsements from a wide range of elected Republicans, including Rep. Vince Fong, state Sen. Shannon Grove, Bakersfield Mayor Karen Goh, Assemblyman Stan Ellis, Kern County Sheriff Donny Youngblood and a number of other individuals and organizations.

“I have been talking to voters and working hard to get my message out,” Flores said.

Neither candidate will likely have to wait until the general election to determine the election result. That’s because Kern County elective offices are not subject to the top-two vote-getter rule that automatically requires a runoff in the general election.

County offices can be decided in the June 2 primary by a candidate who receives more than 50 percent of the vote.

As the chance of an exact tie between Flores and Olaguez is virtually impossible, it’s safe to conclude that the race for the 3rd District will be decided in the June primary.

Despite his disadvantage in name recognition and financial support, Olaguez believes he has a real chance of winning.

“I feel confident because what I’m really hearing is people are just tired. That’s the word I keep hearing. They’re just tired of the BS.”

And they’re ready for a change.

“I’m not taking any corporate money,” Olaguez said. “The left and the right — they’re the same party.

“I’m tired of the excuses. Let’s fix this.”

He’s running on transparency and accountability, the challenger said.

Flores said his key issues include public safety, economic development, and getting homeless people off the streets and into treatment, whether it be mental health services, addiction treatment, or both.

“All of that is still as relevant today as it was four years ago,” Flores said. “And I’m proud of my record on moving on all those fronts and I’m going to continue to do so.

“What it also encompasses is quality of life,” Flores said, “to advance the quality of life for Kern County residents. Safe streets, neighborhoods and just making Kern County the best that it can be.”