BAKERSFIELD, Calif. -- A Taft City Councilman running for the Fourth District Board of Supervisors post released his rap sheet Tuesday in a pre-emptive move, so that it doesn't come up later in the campaign.

Cliff Thompson also wanted to come clean to voters about his record so that they know who they're voting for.

Thompson admits he's made mistakes in the past, but points out that he's only had three convictions. All three happened in the early 1990s, one was an infraction for not having insurance, the other two were misdemeanors for driving without a license and driving while license was supsended or revoked.

Another eight cases ranging from 1970 to 1998 were dismissed for one reason or another, including four charges that were expunged after Thompson met conditions of probation.

Thompson told ABC 23 that the last 10 years speak to his character and that while he can't change what happened in the past, it is part of his history.

Current Fourth District Supervisor Ray Watson says he respects Thompson for releasing the information and added that it was an important move so that voters know who they're voting for.