BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) -- Ahead of the Nov. 5 general election, 17 News will profile candidates for federal, state and local offices. This week, we will feature the race for Kern District 5 Supervisor race. In this race, two candidates are battling to represent the county district of about 179,700 residents. 17 News political reporter Jenny Huh spoke one-on-one with one of the candidates, Kim Salas. Bakersfield Arts Council previews nearly complete Clean California Art Mural Project Salas has long been involved in politics behind the scenes -- like former Kern Supervisor and state Senator Michael Rubio, former state Senator Dean Florez and current Assemblywoman Dr. Jasmeet Bains. Now, she's the face of her own campaign. Bakersfield Mayor Karen Goh and former state Senator Michael Rubio held the seat before Perez took over. The Kern County Board of Supervisors is a nonpartisan office. Below is a recap of 17 News’ conversation with the candidate. "I've worked so hard to get other people elected. It's definitely different being on this side [of the campaign]," said Salas. A native of Kern's 5th District, Salas is trying to unseat a longtime incumbent: Leticia Perez. Businesses are booming while getting you ready for the Kern County Fair "Nothing's changed," Salas said. "And that's my thing, it's time for a change." To showcase the need for work, Salas asked to meet at Pioneer Park in east Bakersfield for this interview. On-site, Salas pointed out the area's overgrown grass and homeless population. "If there is no park ranger, a robust park ranger program that's going to help protect that investment, then we're going to see you know millions of dollars going to waste," Salas said. In 2016, the county made its Parks and Recreation Department part of its General Services Division. The district struggles with park ranger staffing, and Salas said if elected, she would push for the department's return. Aside from her opponent's focus on parks, Salas's own priorities are public safety, infrastructure and health. "I understand parks are a necessity, but when people aren't feeling safe or their neighborhoods aren't clean, that's a problem. That speaks to someone's basic needs," Salas noted. "Our kids growing up, they say that. And they recognized and realized that you know maybe the neighborhood's not as safe as they thought it was." Salas said she raised her kids in east Bakersfield right now, often running into difficult situations when it came to public safety. "Crime has always been something that has been a mainstay unfortunately in District 5," Salas said. The supervisor hopeful said part of her goal is to communicate with constituents that law enforcement is part of the change towards a safer neighborhood. Additional funding for neighborhood officers and sheriff's substations is nonnegotiable, she said. "The rank and files, the boots on the ground, that don't sit in the office daily, but are actually out in patrol cars, hitting the streets, are behind me," Salas said of her many endorsements. While groups like the Kern Prosecutors Association and the Kern Law Enforcement Association are behind Salas, the county's top law enforcement official -- Sheriff Donny Youngblood -- has endorsed Leticia Perez. Never miss a story: Make KGET.com your homepage In response, Salas said Youngblood's endorsement is a show of two elected officials relying on each other and also that number-wise, she'll take the love of hundreds of officers, over that of just one individual. 17's Jenny Huh: "If it all remains stagnant [under district leadership], what are you proposing that's different and can actually offer change to the district?" Kim Salas: "There's a mistrust sometimes of law enforcement, so I'd like to work with law enforcement and bring some community resources back to the area, especially around Virginia and Flower Street at that substation. Letting the public know that law enforcement is there to help." On homelessness, Salas said she's all for the clearing of encampments. The problem now, she said, is rather than the complete clean-ups of encampments, they're simply moved from one location to another. "Working with Dr. Bains [as her district director] and the fentanyl task force, money was put on healthcare side and law enforcement side," Salas said of tackling the homelessness crisis. She said work to get folks into shelters must continue. "[We must work] with code compliance code enforcement as well as behavioral health and other organizations, community-based organizations to get people into shelters," Salas noted. As for those who decline help, Salas said, "I'd rather see that small percentage [still on the streets] than what we have now." When it comes to infrastructure, Salas lamented that District 5 severely lacks streetlights, which affects their sense of safety. She also discussed the need for road repairs. "For far too long, the district's been neglected," Salas began. "Roads that need to be done. They get oil overlay on them, but once winter hits and that rain comes, that oil's going to be washed away." As a suggestion on becoming more proactive, Salas pitched, "People don't know that when they incur damage from a pothole, they can file a claim and get money back. And I think that would prompt people to be more proactive." And with jobs, Salas said, comes healthcare. "That's what happens with the decimation of our oil production," Salas stated. "Jobs get pulled, healthcare gets pulled." Though the Kern Board of Supervisors is a nonpartisan position, the current board makeup is known to consist of three Republicans and one Democrat -- Salas' opponent Leticia Perez. Salas herself is also a Democrat. But she is more so a 'Valleycrat' -- "I believe in the oil industry; I believe in the agriculture industry..." Salas said. Her concerns over healthcare, Salas explained, is "With regards to the community and the wellbeing of it but then the healthcare issue of it is with the jobs. And when they lose their healthcare benefits, that'll affect people as well." She added, "I'm proactive. So, preventative medicine, educating people." District 5 is the third largest in Kern in terms of population and second largest Latino population. It includes only the city of Bakersfield, specifically its Downtown, Eastern and Southeastern portions. This is the only supervisorial race to not be decided outright in the primary election. Salas will face incumbent Leticia Perez in November. "I'm not afraid to walk. I'm not afraid to roll up my sleeves and make sure things get done," Salas said. Salas also highlighted her Spanish fluency and promised to not be what she calls a "photo opportunity candidate." Click here for the full interview with Kim Salas.