Election Update

Russell Johnson is a Bakersfield native and former BBRC member.

After obtaining his undergraduate at
Bakersfield College, he transferred to the University of California Santa Barbara where
he obtained his bachelor’s degree in history.

Russell has extensive experience in government.  He has served as a District
Representative for a local State Senator, Chief of Staff to a County Supervisor, Planning
Commissioner, and Councilmember at the City of Bakersfield.  In 2010, Russell started
the government affairs firm, Common Sense Consulting, a full-service government
relations and public affairs firm where he helps clients with issues such as land
entitlement, property tax assessment appeals, permits, and association management.

Community service is a passion of Russell’s. He has served on many non-profit boards,
including the Boys and Girls Club of Kern County, the Home Builders Association of
Kern County, Kern County Right to Life, and the Center for Kern Political Education.

Russell’s proudest achievements include assisting nine non-profits in various stages of
need over the last twelve years—most notably, he transformed a Bakersfield non-profit
from being $300,000 in debt to eliminating the debt and building three months of payroll
within eight months.

Currently, he serves as CEO of Victory Family Services, a foster family agency where
resource families are supported through continuous training, education, and
development.

Russell and his wife Susanne were married in 2006, and together they are raising their
sons, Benjamin and Ryan.