BAKERSFIELD, Calif.(KBAK/KBFX) — As voters headed to the polls, some local candidates planned election night watch parties, but one gathering in downtown Bakersfield was called off after an unrelated bomb threat was reported nearby.
Image – 2026-06-02T221810.479.jpg
Dr. Jasmeet Bains’ election night watch party, planned about a half-mile from a Chase bank in downtown Bakersfield, was canceled as authorities responded to a reported hostage situation and bomb threat at the bank.
Police said a man claimed to have a bomb strapped to his body inside the downtown Bakersfield Chase bank, and the response led to street closures in parts of downtown throughout the afternoon.
Event organizers said the watch party was canceled just minutes before Bains was expected to arrive.
Dr. Jasmeet Bains KBAK/KBFX
In a statement, in part, Bains said, “Out of an abundance of caution, and to avoid creating a large gathering of people in close proximity to this incident, we will no longer hold an in-person event in downtown.”
Some people had already arrived before the cancellation was announced.
The event appeared ready to begin and was awaiting Bains’ arrival before word came down that it had been called off.
Bains is one of the candidates in the race for California’s 22nd Congressional District, along with Randy Villegas and David Valadao.
The district includes parts of Kern, Tulare, Kings, Fresno and Madera counties.
Image – 2026-06-02T221810.479.jpg
Earlier in the day, while casting her ballot, Bains told Eyewitness News, “I’m excited for everybody else that’s running for office as well. It is a true honor to be able to run for office, the true honor to be the daughter of an immigrant who came here alone, and to be on the ballot.”
The Kern County Elections Office said the official canvass will begin at 8 a.m. on June 3, 2026, and results will be completed on or before July 2, 2026.