Stiern, 27-Year Senate Veteran, Plans to Retire

Walter Stiern (D-Bakersfield), a veterinarian whose 27 years in the state Senate have made him the dean of the upper house, will announce today his decision to retire when his four-year term expires next year.

“I feel . . . that it is the time for me to step aside, even though I must acknowledge a certain reluctance to do so,” Stiern, 71, said in a statement.

The news prompted speculation by Senate Republican Leader Jim Nielsen of Woodland that a GOP candidate could win the seat to reduce the Democrats’ 25-member majority in the 40-member Senate.

Senate Democratic Caucus Chairman Paul Carpenter of Cypress acknowledged that the 1986 race to succeed Stiern will be “a cliffhanger.”

“Considering the widespread interest being shown in my immediate future, I believe it is important to let the 16th Senate District know now of my decision so that prospective candidates of both parties can make their own plans,” Stiern said.

Stiern, a conservative Democrat, almost certainly would have faced a tough reelection battle in the mostly rural district that has been targeted in recent elections by the GOP.

Comprised primarily of Kern County, the district also includes Kings County and parts of Los Angeles and San Bernardino counties.