Bakersfield City Council · Nov 3, 2026
Zack Bashirtash
Ward 6 councilmember; current term ends in 2028Ballotpedia
Zack Bashirtash (Ward 6 councilmember) is not on the Nov 3, 2026 ballot and will stay on the Bakersfield City Council after the election.
Won the Ward 6 seat in the Nov. 5, 2024 general election and took office Dec. 18, 2024.
Where Zack Bashirtash stands: positions on the record
Sewer rates3 sourced positions
Voted yes on the five-year sewer rate plan raising the annual rate to $475 in 2026-27, rising to $875 (passed 5-2, May 2026).
Council vote23ABC News (KERO) · May 27, 2026
Voted no on a motion to adopt the sewer rate plan and develop one-time aid for very low- and fixed-income households (failed 2-5, May 2026).
Council vote23ABC News (KERO) · May 27, 2026
As reported by KGET 17 News
Said the city should stop putting off sewer infrastructure problems.
“Not kicking the can down the road for the next generation is … it’s the right thing to do”
Own statementKGET 17 News · May 27, 2026
Homelessness1 sourced position
Voted yes on a $2.5 million allocation to The Open Door Network for its new shelter on Dolores Street (passed 5-1, Feb. 2026).
Council voteThe Bakersfield Californian · Feb 25, 2026
City office buildings2 sourced positions
Voted no on a five-year lease of 1430 and 1440 Truxtun Avenue with an option to buy for $13.6 million (passed 5-1, March 2026).
Council voteKGET 17 News · Mar 12, 2026
Voted no on a refundable deposit toward buying the former Bank of America building (passed 5-2, March 2026).
Council voteThe Bakersfield Californian · Mar 25, 2026
Energy2 sourced positions
Voted no on a $9.2 million solar power and battery project at the city Water Resources building (failed 3-4, Aug. 2026).
Council voteThe Bakersfield Californian · Aug 5, 2026
Voted no on having city staff research distributed energy resources (DER) opportunities (passed 4-2, March 2026).
Council voteThe Bakersfield Californian · Mar 25, 2026
Public safety1 sourced position
Voted to deny a 150-foot public safety radio tower at 1000 Buena Vista Road (denied 5-2, Aug. 2026).
Council voteThe Bakersfield Californian · Aug 5, 2026
Sanctuary city1 sourced position
Asked staff to immediately stop all work related to the sanctuary city policy and the TRUTH Act forum (Aug. 2026).
Own statementKGET 17 News · Aug 12, 2026
City manager1 sourced position
As reported by The Bakersfield Californian
Said he had no confidence in City Manager Christian Clegg after a performance review (Aug. 2026).
“I don’t have faith in our city manager”
Own statementThe Bakersfield Californian · Aug 5, 2026
What Zack Bashirtash said vs. how Zack Bashirtash voted
Sewer rates
In their words
Said the city should stop putting off sewer infrastructure problems.
May 27, 2026 ·As reported by KGET 17 News ·KGET 17 News · May 27, 2026
On the record
Voted no on a motion to adopt the sewer rate plan and develop one-time aid for very low- and fixed-income households (failed 2-5, May 2026).
May 27, 2026 ·23ABC News (KERO) · May 27, 2026
On the ballot this time
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