BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) \u2014 Senator Melissa Hurtado was first elected to the state Senate in 2018 and became the youngest woman ever elected to the body. Eight years later, Hurtado was appointed the chair for a Budget subcommittee focused on general government and State Administration.<\/p>\n
The committee oversees the budget and spending of close to 80 different California agencies.<\/p>\n
Watch \u2018After Sunrise\u2019 on KGET+; Click to learn how to get KGET+ on your smart TV devices <\/a><\/p>\n \u201cAs we know, that\u2019s been, you know, quite a bit of a controversy in terms of the amount of funds that have been put out and whether or not there\u2019s been effective \u2026 I think there\u2019s a lot more that needs to be done, a lot of more oversight and accountability,\u201d said Hurtado.<\/p>\n The subcommittee keeps Hurtado on her toes, but she has some priorities for helping the district in 2026.<\/p>\n Her main focus is property tax fraud \u2014 even as the state budget faces a deficit.<\/p>\n \u201cI think there\u2019s a lot more that needs to be done, a lot of more oversight and accountability. And that\u2019s how we got the year started this time around,\u201d Hurtado said. \u201cQuite frankly, it\u2019s something that needs to \u2026 there needs to be an oversight over because it\u2019s impacting our pocketbooks.\u201d<\/p>\n Hurtado announced a bid for her third earlier this year. But there\u2019s one thing between the Senator and another four years in Sacramento \u2014 a heated June Primary election.<\/p>\n \u201cI feel like I have the knowledge, the experience, the background, the will,\u201d said Hurtado. \u201cAnd I still have, you know, the motivation and the interest to serve the people through this period. And that\u2019s why I decided to do it. I think we need someone that is not afraid to tell very powerful people \u2018no,\u2019 I\u2019m not afraid to do that.\u201d<\/p>\n Hurtado is set to face off against Bakersfield Vice Mayor and Democrat Manpreet Kaur and former David Valadao staffer Republican Guillermo Gonzalez.<\/p>\n Hurtado said she welcomes the challenge.<\/p>\n \u201cIn terms of, you know, what I\u2019ve been able to accomplish, and I think that if there\u2019s two other individuals, I think they could do more in this environment, I\u2019d be happy to hear and listen as well and learn and take notes if necessary,\u201d Hurtado said.<\/p>\n Trout\u2019s, beloved former Oildale honky tonk, to become affordable housing units <\/a><\/p>\n Both Kaur and Gonzalez have criticized Hurtado for not doing enough to listen to constituents\u2019 concerns.<\/p>\n \u201cI trust the people and I put all my faith and their trust in them,\u201d said Hurtado. \u201cAnd I think they\u2019ll ultimately make the right decision on who\u2019s going to be the best advocate for them. And I truly feel that this June and in November, they\u2019ll say that it\u2019s me.\u201d<\/p>\n To watch the extended interview with Senator Hurtado, click here<\/a>.<\/p>\n Copyright 2026 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.<\/p>\n