With a sudden vacancy on the Kern County Board of Supervisors, it reportedly falls to Gov. Gavin Newsom to appoint a replacement until an election can be held to elect a new supervisor.
District 2 Supervisor Zack Scrivner resigned Thursday evening, the first public statement he's made since an incident at his Tehachapi home on April 23.
In a news release Friday, County Counsel Margo Raison said California Government Code dictates that when a vacancy occurs, the governor shall appoint someone to fill the position who will serve until the election of a qualified successor.
With the filing deadline for the November election on Aug. 9, the next election to choose a successor will be the Nov. 5 general election.
"Although the primary election has already occurred, it is not technically too late for the 'independent nomination process' to allow a candidate to be placed on the November 5, 2024 ballot," Raison wrote.
In a statement, Kern County Board of Supervisors Chairman David Couch said he will ask fellow supervisors to consider adding an agenda item to Tuesday morning’s meeting to request the Registrar of Voters make the necessary preparations for the candidates’ filing date of Aug. 9.
Following months of mounting pressure over whether he would be able to fulfill his duties as a supervisor, Scrivner resigned Thursday night, effective Friday — faltering one of the most prominent political dynasties in Kern County history.
Scrivner hasn’t been seen since Kern County Sheriff’s Office deputies were sent to his Tehachapi home. This was after Sheriff Donny Youngblood was contacted by Kern County District Attorney Cynthia Zimmer, Scrivner's aunt, who reported that Scrivner was possibly suicidal and armed with a firearm.
The sheriff said at a press conference on April 25 that one of Scrivner’s children stabbed him twice in an act of sibling defense to protect another child who was allegedly sexually assaulted by their father.
On Friday, Youngblood told The Californian he was unaware of Scrivner’s location and that questions about the investigation should be directed to the state Attorney General’s office.
Since the raid in April, no criminal charges have been filed against Scrivner related to the incident as of Friday. The California Attorney General’s Office has been investigating the case after the Kern County District Attorney’s Office declared a conflict.
A spokesperson from the DA’s office said the DA will not comment on the incident and the DA’s office is not involved.
When asked if Scrivner’s resignation from his county position affects the investigation, a spokesperson from the AG’s Office said repeatedly “we are reviewing the case.”
Calls for Scrivner to resign began shortly after the April raid and grew as his absence extended. A May 8 statement from his lawyer said he was on medical leave.
Following the resignation, Kern County officials released statements focused on finding a replacement for Scrivner and not on the allegations against him.
In a statement, Couch said Kern County and District 2’s residents would continue to be served while a replacement was found.
“During this time, our board will continue to ensure our nearly 1 million residents receive the vital services they expect and deserve,” Couch said. “As we welcome a new supervisor, we will ensure a seamless and cohesive representation of District 2 residents. In the interim, each supervisor will work diligently to support the constituents of District 2 with
compassion and excellence.”
A statement from District 1 Supervisor Phillip Peters steered away from commenting on the allegations against Scrivner but said the needs of District 2 constituents would be taken care of.
“As the only supervisor currently representing East Kern, I understand the challenges faced by District 2 residents, and will remain available to be of whatever assistance I can,” Peters wrote. “I will continue working with my colleagues to ensure confidence in the Board’s leadership, ensure every voice is heard and every issue is being addressed.”
Peters noted that no charges have been filed against Scrivner and that it would be inappropriate for him to comment.
“I ask only that you join me in praying for the Scrivner family, and have faith that our legal system will review this situation in a fair, just and expeditious manner,” Peters wrote.
In an emailed statement, U.S. Rep. David Valadao, R-Hanford, said he was glad Scrivner resigned.
“The allegations against Mr. Scrivner are deeply troubling and I was glad to see he resigned,” Valadao said. “Kern County residents deserve transparency, honesty and accountability from their elected officials.”
In a post on Facebook, Assemblywoman Dr. Jasmeet Bains, D-Bakersfield, said district residents needed representation at the county level.
“The families of District 2 have been without a voice for too long. Our institutions rely on the public's trust, and I believe our elected officials should be held to a higher standard,” Bains said. “The most important thing moving forward is restoring that trust and the voice of the Kern County residents who do not have representation right now.”
Supervisors Jeff Flores and Leticia Perez did not respond to requests for comment. Neither did Scrivner’s defense attorney, H.A. Sala, nor Scrivner’s divorce attorney, Robert Carbone.
Scrivner’s resignation came four days before his next court hearing in his divorce case that his estranged wife, Christina Scrivner, had accelerated to August rather than December. The hearing was scheduled for the pair to discuss child support payments for their four minor children.
One of the payments Christina Scivner requested in a letter to the Kern County Superior Court was assistance with her children’s medical payments, which now include their children's counseling costs.
Carbone is expected in court Monday for the divorce case but it is unclear if Scrivner will appear with him.
According to Kern County spokesperson Ally Triolo, Scrivner's base salary was $113,738 plus applicable benefits afforded to management and mid-management including retirement, KernFlex, health benefits and an automobile allowance.
Scrivner’s resignation was effective Friday, Triolo said, which would be the last day of his compensation, though he may be able to qualify for retirement benefits from past terms as supervisor if he qualifies.
