A local Black Republican group could face sanctions for endorsing a Democrat for elected office.BRICK, also known as 'Black Republicans in the County of Kern' says it will continue to endorse Bakersfield City Councilman Rudy Salas for California’s newly created 32nd Assembly District seat.
BRICK's founder says it's not about political party, but instead having a quality assembly member.
They say there are no hard feelings against the Kern County Republican Central Committee and that their intention is to continue to advocate those conservative values of the Republican party.
Kern County Republican Central Committee Vice Chair, Dr. Dean Haddock says, “Any group that calls themselves Republicans that would endorse a Democrat, are not Republicans. That is just the bottom line because what they are doing is endorsing a person who does not support Republican values.”
Salas represents Ward 1. He is running against three Republicans so the endorsement has caused some ripples in the Central Committee, which charters BRICK.
Despite the Committee's opposition, BRICK founder Keith C. Wolaridge, says they will continue to back Salas. "The reason why the executive committee of BRICK chose to endorse Mr. Salas is due to the fact that we have a relationship with Rudy. He has worked with us on various issues in the community, and we feel he is a quality individual."
Meantime, Salas says his focus will remain the same. "I appreciate BRICK's willingness to cross party lines. I believe BRICK understands what the voters want, somebody who will represent people, they want to represent kids and schools."
The Kern County Republican Central Committee says they could go as far as not recognizing BRICK as an organization.
On Monday, the committee held a meeting at the Kern Security building in Bakersfield to decide whether they will revoke the charter of BRICK.
