Vasquez enters race for county supervisor

In the heart of Kern County, Veronica Vasquez, a lifelong resident of Delano, is hoping to make history as the first Latina supervisor for District 4, including Wasco and Shafter..

Rooted deeply in the United Farm Workers movement, she comes from five generations of family advocates supporting farm work and labor rights.

Professionally, she has been an employee of the Department of Human Services working in Child Protective Services. "I have been a social worker since 2007 in emergency response for the communities including Delano, McFarland, Wasco, Shafter, Lost Hills, Buttonwillow and the Bakersfield ZIP codes 93312 and 93314."

Vasquez has served two terms as Service Employee International Union Local 521 union president. "In this capacity, I was responsible for representing the employees whether it came to negotiations, worker's rights [or] lobbying elected officials to provide us with resources."

Currently, she serves as a Delano councilwoman. "My first two years, I was mayor pro tem. This experience has given me insight regarding budgets and providing necessary services to the community."

She thinks she is the best candidate. "I'm the only candidate that has been a county employee and the only one to advocate for the county employees first-hand, working side by side with them with many different agencies throughout the county."

She will be facing Wasco City Councilman Alex Garcia, Delano Vice Mayor Sal Solorio Ruiz and incumbent David Couch in the March 6 primary. The general election is Nov. 5, 2024.

Vasquez said he upbringing has impacted her values for wanting to help the community.

"I come from a humble beginning, and as a social worker, I still live that way. I understand people living check to check, and I understand the daily struggles. I saw that growing up, and I see it now as an adult. As a social worker, my goal is always to help people, and that's what I want to do in the supervisor role."

She said some of her greatest qualities include being patient and understanding. "And dealing with difficult situations and being able to strategize and handle complicated issues."

"With my campaign, I am committed to being inclusive and connecting with the diverse community that makes up District 4."

A campaign kick-off event will be on Saturday, Oct. 28, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Cesar Chavez Park, 925 Ellington St., in Delano. More information about Veronica Vasquez is at vote4vasquez.org.