EDITOR'S NOTE: This story has been updated to include additional details about a candidate. BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) -- KGET sent the candidates running for the Bakersfield City Council Ward 6 seat a questionnaire hoping to get answers to some basic questions — an introduction to voters in the district. We asked each candidate several questions: Name Age Hometown; City you reside in Tell us about your family. Give us a brief educational history Party registration; How long have you been registered with that party? Give us a brief career history Why are you running for this office? How long have you lived in the district? Describe your political philosophy Below are responses from the candidates running for the Bakersfield City Council Ward 6 seat. Imelda Ceja 17 News reached out to Ceja multiple times for a response to this questionnaire, but they have have not responded. Tom Webster Age: 49 Hometown, place of residence: "I was born in Bakersfield and currently live in The Oaks." Family: "Married with three kids." Educational history: "Graduated from West High and UC Berkeley." Career history: "I worked in the Bay Area during the Dot Com era and went into construction/facilities after that. I moved back to Bakersfield in 2010 and started my own business, got married and have since worked in communications and IT for a few companies including the City of Bakersfield." History of elected service: "I currently serve as a Trustee for the Panama-Buena Vista Union School District." Length of residence in the district: "I grew up in Ward 6. I moved back here 14 years ago." Why are you running for this office?: "I am driven by a genuine commitment to enhancing the quality of life in our community. My service on the Panama-Buena Vista school board and involvement with Critters Without Litters underscore my dedication to public service and civic engagement. As a former webmaster for the City of Bakersfield and small business owner, I have the practical expertise to drive meaningful change. I was born and raised in Bakersfield and went to Castle, Actis and West High. I want to preserve the neighborhood that has always been my home. Vision and Goals: My vision for Bakersfield is rooted in optimism and progress. Economic Development: I aim to foster a thriving local economy by supporting entrepreneurship and small businesses. Neighborhood Infrastructure Improvements: I advocate for equitable infrastructure investments to ensure that Ward 6, the vibrant heart of our community, receives the attention it deserves. Animal Welfare and Pet-Friendly Initiatives: I am committed to promoting responsible pet ownership and providing resources to reduce the stray animal population in our city." Political philosophy: "I believe that people should have the freedom to do what they want and government should provide support and build our communities." Zachary Bashirtash Age: 34 Hometown, place of residence: Bakersfield, Laurelglen Family: Wife, three children ages 8, 9, 10 Educational history: Bakersfield High School, Taft College Career history: Director of operations for Bakersfield Mazda and Bakersfield Mitsubishi, 18 years in the automotive industry. History of elected service: planning commissioner city of Bakersfield Party registration: "Republican. 16 years."  Length of residence in the district: Ten years Why are you running for this office?: "As a lifelong resident of Bakersfield, a dedicated business owner, husband, and father, I am running for City Council to make Bakersfield safer and more prosperous. Our City Council’s main responsibilities include ensuring police and fire protection, maintaining safe neighborhoods, repairing streets, and fostering commerce to create jobs. Our streets are in poor condition. We need to prioritize repaving heavily trafficked streets and highways that everyone relies on daily. We must take aggressive steps to retain and hire more police officers. Public safety is paramount, our police force and fire departments must be adequately resourced to protect our community. As a manager of local businesses, I understand the challenges our community faces. The homelessness crisis is a top issue. There are better solutions than allowing people to live on our streets. They should be held to the same standards as other citizens. This crisis is a blight on our city, and law-abiding taxpayers and families deserve better. My vision for Bakersfield is one where families thrive in a safe, economically robust environment.  I will continue to fight the good fight for this city and I ask for your support and vote." Political philosophy: "My political philosophy is grounded in doing the right thing, accountability, and collaboration. I believe that local government must serve the people with transparency and integrity, making decisions that prioritize the best interests of the community. As a lifelong resident of Bakersfield, I have a deep understanding of our city’s unique challenges, from public safety to the homeless crisis, and I’m committed to addressing them with practical, results-oriented solutions." Additional comments: "I love Bakersfield." Johnny Olaguez Age: 35 Hometown, place of residence: "Born in Modesto. Parents relocated to Bakersfield in 1997. Raised in southwest Bakersfield." Currently resides in Laurelglen. Family: Engaged to Cynthia Valdez. Recently became a father. Educational history: Graduated from Golden Valley High School 2007; attended UCSB from 2007 to 2011. "Studied Math and Physics but chose to leave my academic path to pursue entrepreneurship and business." Career history: Founder of Lukaflo.com, 2011 - 2016; Founder of Higgs Fleet Services, January 2022 - January 2024; Founder Olaguez Inc, 2017 - current Party registration: "Independent, 8 years." Length of residence in the district: four years Why are you running for this office?: "I am a lifelong resident of Bakersfield, a proud graduate of Golden Valley High School (Class of 2007), and for the past 10 years, I’ve owned and operated a local business. Bakersfield is a city rich in resources and defined by the hard work of its people. What we need now are competent community leaders who understand the city, can adapt, and guide us toward a future shaped by emerging technologies. Leaders who aren’t afraid to hire those smarter than themselves -- because true progress comes when we work together toward growth. My focus as a candidate will be on increasing opportunities in technology, auditing citydepartments to eliminate wasteful spending, addressing homelessness, tackling pollution(without harming businesses or their bottom lines), and continuing efforts to beautify Bakersfield. With my background in product engineering, venture capital, software, government contracts,public policy, and transportation, I believe I am the best candidate for Ward 6 and the mostqualified representative for our city. Bakersfield needs someone who can address the issues of the past in order to better guide us into the future. Through innovation, we can create new jobs, improve the quality of life, and open doors to new opportunities for residents. We need policies that encourage local businesses and community investments, increase access to information, and ensure clear, transparent communication with elected officials to address the concerns of all residents." Political philosophy: "While JFK was right when he said, 'Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country,' it is the duty of civil servants to ensure that there is always an open line of communication between citizens and their representatives for that statement to truly resonate. It is vital that contractors are treated with respect, dignity, and paid on time. Residents should feel protected by law enforcement, with reasonable response times. Equal access to resources, grants, and greater transparency within public works projects would give real meaning to JFK’s words. However, this cannot happen if we continue down the same path. We can do better -- and we will, as a community. Let’s represent the people. Let’s have open dialogues and ensure that every citizen has a voice and feels heard. By addressing the issue of transparency, we can create more jobs and help lift those who are struggling, particularly in light of rising housing costs and a lack of employment opportunities. As someone who once lived in his car, I understand the importance of job creation. We must also tackle the homelessness issue -- a problem that, despite the money being spent, remains unchanged after all these years. It’s time for us to move forward together, toward growth."