An unlikely city in California is getting newfound attention from some of the country’s biggest progressive luminaries: Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders. New York Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. And Silicon Valley Representative Ro Khanna. All have recently stopped in Bakersfield, a staunchly conservative bastion in the center of a big blue state. Could the political winds be changing in this region once represented by former Republican House Speaker Kevin McCarthy? KVPR’s Joshua Yeager reports.

<p>An unlikely city in California is getting newfound attention from some of the country&rsquo;s biggest progressive luminaries: Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders. New York Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. And Silicon Valley Representative Ro Khanna. All have recently stopped in Bakersfield, a staunchly conservative bastion in the center of a big blue state. Could the political winds be changing in this region once represented by former Republican House Speaker Kevin McCarthy? KVPR&rsquo;s Joshua Yeager reports.</p>

KQED serves the people of Northern California with a community-supported alternative to commercial media. We provide citizens with the knowledge they need to make informed decisions; convene community dialogue; bring the arts to everyone; and engage audiences to share their stories.

<p>KQED serves the people of Northern California with a community-supported alternative to commercial media. We provide citizens with the knowledge they need to make informed decisions; convene community dialogue; bring the arts to everyone; and engage audiences to share their stories.</p>

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