BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) – Two candidates in Bakersfield’s City Council’s fourth Ward race will face-off in a live debate Tuesday evening.
Hosted by 17 News, incumbent Councilmember Bob Smith will debate incoming candidate Ryan Crowl for the Ward 4 seat.
Smith, who also works in civil engineering and has a land planning business, has represented Ward 4 for the last 14 years, after assuming office in a partial term in 2012.
Through his time sitting on the council, Smith has worked to reduce traffic accidents and road fatalities, along with restoring water in the Kern River.
But with winning re-election three times and attempting a fourth, Crowl is looking to unseat the longtime councilmember.
Crowl is the president and owner of the Bakersfield Jet Center by Lloyd’s Aviation and is the founder and CEO of Hangar Safe.
Since announcing his campaign for local office, Crowl has raked in an endorsement from Republican Congressman Vince Fong.
Ward 4 covers Bakersfield’s northwestern side, including the Rosedale and Brimhall areas.
The two candidates – both Republicans – are set to take the debate stage on Tuesday, Sept. 28, at 7 p.m. in KGET 17 News’ studios.
How to watch
The first of KGET’s City Council debates ahead of the November election will be broadcast live on KGET at 7 p.m.
The debate will be available for streaming on the KGET+ app available through Roku, Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV and Samsung smart TV devices. It can also be streamed directly through KGET’s smartphone app and on KGET.com/live
For more information on KGET+, click here.
All debates will also be posted to YouTube and housed at KGET.com for later viewing.
To learn more about the upcoming election, the candidates in the running and what measures are on the ballot, pursue 17 News’ Midterm Election Voter Guide.
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