BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KBAK/KBFX) McFarland Mayor Saul Ayon, elected in 2022, is running as a Republican for the California Assembly, saying Kern County needs a representative in Sacramento who will address the high cost of living.
“Families are being crushed with the high cost of living, the affordability crisis and we need a representative that’s going to represent Kern County and bring down those costs,” Ayon said.
Ayon blamed higher costs in California on Democratic policies, arguing Democrats have led the state for years.
McFarland Mayor Saul Ayon runs for Assembly, cites high cost of living in Kern County (Photo by Arturo Holmes/Getty Images for National Urban League)
“It’s kind of humorous that Democrats are running their campaign on cost of living when they have been in charge of this state for sixteen years. And they’ve caused all this crisis that spars affordability,” he said.
To address affordability, Ayon said he would support suspending the gas tax and reducing regulations.
“Suspend the gas tax,” he said. “You got so many regulations like CARB and cap-and-invest.”
Ayon also pointed to his experience working with Democrats while serving as McFarland’s mayor.
“In the last six years I’ve also worked with our democratically elected officials with Assembly Bill 133, we were able to get eight million dollars for Kern County,” he said.
McFarland Mayor Saul Ayon runs for Assembly, cites high cost of living in Kern County (KBAK/KBFX)
He said his nearly 25 years with the Kern County Department would translate to the state Legislature.
“Just having the front-line experience in dealing with not only the government in a different chapter but you know that accountability and responsibility of protecting our community,” Ayon said.
McFarland Mayor Saul Ayon runs for Assembly, cites high cost of living in Kern County (Photo by Charlie Neibergall/Getty Images)
Asked what separates him from his opponent, Democratic candidate and Bakersfield City Councilman Andrae Gonzales, Ayon said, “The difference is I have proven results. I bring people to the table and we solve the problem and we bring measurable results.”