Jerry McNerney has high hopes for California’s 11th congressional district.
And by the time that November rolls around, the two-time congressman hopes voters will give him another term to represent the district that includes large portions of Manteca, Stockton, Tracy, and selected slivers of the East Bay.
But with six Republican candidates to date vying for his seat, McNerney might have his hands full come election day depending on who wins the Republican nomination. The GOP group consists of everybody from a retired federal marshal to a school teacher.
Keeping focused on the task at hand, however, is his main goal at the moment.
“I’ve been honored to represent the 11th congressional district for the last three years, and I fly back nearly every weekend to hold events and meet with constituents and I always look forward to spending time with people in Manteca so I can hear people’s ideas,” McNerney said. “Whether it’s visiting with the Give Every Child a Chance tutoring program or helping hand out flags as part of the Flags over American program, I love it.”
Based on the turnout at Crossroads Grace Community Church, however, there are six people who aren’t sure that he’s the right one to lead the district into the future and to handle the issues that are facing the growing district today.
With accusations flying during last week’s Congressional Forum accusing him of voting the party line blindly in lockstep with Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D- San Francisco, McNerney hopes that his experience over the last three years will prove the doubters wrong and show that he is someone who is not only trustworthy but dedicated to making the best decisions possible with the information he is given.
“I’m an independent voice for the people that I represent and my decisions are always based on what is best for our community, not on the wishes of the Democratic leadership,” he said. “Recently I voted against the Democratic leadership’s watered down attempt at an estate tax reform that would have devastated family farms and small businesses right here in Manteca.
“I also offered a better solution by writing legislation which would truly reform the estate tax by exempting farmland that stays in operation and is passed down from one generation to the next.”
McNerney pulled what many felt was an upset in 2006 when seven-time incumbent Richard Pombo came under fire for connections to disgraced Representative Tom DeLay and his dealings with shady lobbyist Jack Abramoff.
What was once considered a dead-lock for Pombo, McNerney rode the wave with tremendous support and a massive amount of focus on the race that helped give the Democratic Party control of the House of Representatives for the first time since “The Republican Revolution” in 1994.
But the party didn’t last long.
Within two years, McNerney was part of a Congress that was dealing with the worst financial crisis that the United States had seen since The Great Depression, and he elected to take moral stand against pay increases to politicians when millions of Americans were struggling to make ends meet.
“When I was elected to represent Manteca, I was disappointed to learn that members of Congress receive automatic pay increases. Hard-working people in San Joaquin County are the ones who deserve good paying jobs, not career politicians,” McNerney said. “It wouldn’t be right for me to take a pay raise when people are struggling and I’ve stood up in Washington who would raise their own salaries by always voting against pay increases.”
And with a son in the military, McNerney has become a champion for the cause of both veterans and active duty personnel currently serving overseas – not letting his ideology stand in the way of taking care of the brave men and women fighting for American freedom.
“My priorities are to make sure that our country is safe and secure and that we take care of our veterans and our men and women currently serving in the armed forces,” McNerney said. “Our veterans answered our country’s call to serve and endured great sacrifice – now it’s our responsibility to make sure that our veterans have the best access to the best possible medical care and the benefits that they have earned.”
While talking a good game on Capitol Hill is one thing, the Congressman was part of an envoy to Afghanistan just a few weeks ago to inspect what conditions were like on the ground. He befriended a young troop who asked him about the possibility of increasing combat pay – something he was told hasn’t been increased in many years and makes life difficult for active duty personnel to adequately provide for their families back home.
“I can’t think of anyone more deserving of a raise than our troops, so when I returned I reintroduced a bill to increase military combat pay for our troops. Taking care of the men and women who put their lives on the line for our nation is simply the right thing to do.”
McNerney was a driving force behind locating the Veterans Administration Hospital to San Joaquin County – veterans were previously forced to travel as far away as Palo Alto to receive the care that they needed.
When he isn’t in legislative session, McNerney enjoys handball, running, and hiking – as well as shooting.
To learn more about McNerney and his upcoming run for a third term, visit his campaign page at www.jerrymcnerney.org. The Congressman’s stance on the issues is listed on the site, and a portal for donations is also available.
And by the time that November rolls around, the two-time congressman hopes voters will give him another term to represent the district that includes large portions of Manteca, Stockton, Tracy, and selected slivers of the East Bay.
But with six Republican candidates to date vying for his seat, McNerney might have his hands full come election day depending on who wins the Republican nomination. The GOP group consists of everybody from a retired federal marshal to a school teacher.
Keeping focused on the task at hand, however, is his main goal at the moment.
“I’ve been honored to represent the 11th congressional district for the last three years, and I fly back nearly every weekend to hold events and meet with constituents and I always look forward to spending time with people in Manteca so I can hear people’s ideas,” McNerney said. “Whether it’s visiting with the Give Every Child a Chance tutoring program or helping hand out flags as part of the Flags over American program, I love it.”
Based on the turnout at Crossroads Grace Community Church, however, there are six people who aren’t sure that he’s the right one to lead the district into the future and to handle the issues that are facing the growing district today.
With accusations flying during last week’s Congressional Forum accusing him of voting the party line blindly in lockstep with Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D- San Francisco, McNerney hopes that his experience over the last three years will prove the doubters wrong and show that he is someone who is not only trustworthy but dedicated to making the best decisions possible with the information he is given.
“I’m an independent voice for the people that I represent and my decisions are always based on what is best for our community, not on the wishes of the Democratic leadership,” he said. “Recently I voted against the Democratic leadership’s watered down attempt at an estate tax reform that would have devastated family farms and small businesses right here in Manteca.
“I also offered a better solution by writing legislation which would truly reform the estate tax by exempting farmland that stays in operation and is passed down from one generation to the next.”
McNerney pulled what many felt was an upset in 2006 when seven-time incumbent Richard Pombo came under fire for connections to disgraced Representative Tom DeLay and his dealings with shady lobbyist Jack Abramoff.
What was once considered a dead-lock for Pombo, McNerney rode the wave with tremendous support and a massive amount of focus on the race that helped give the Democratic Party control of the House of Representatives for the first time since “The Republican Revolution” in 1994.
But the party didn’t last long.
Within two years, McNerney was part of a Congress that was dealing with the worst financial crisis that the United States had seen since The Great Depression, and he elected to take moral stand against pay increases to politicians when millions of Americans were struggling to make ends meet.
“When I was elected to represent Manteca, I was disappointed to learn that members of Congress receive automatic pay increases. Hard-working people in San Joaquin County are the ones who deserve good paying jobs, not career politicians,” McNerney said. “It wouldn’t be right for me to take a pay raise when people are struggling and I’ve stood up in Washington who would raise their own salaries by always voting against pay increases.”
And with a son in the military, McNerney has become a champion for the cause of both veterans and active duty personnel currently serving overseas – not letting his ideology stand in the way of taking care of the brave men and women fighting for American freedom.
“My priorities are to make sure that our country is safe and secure and that we take care of our veterans and our men and women currently serving in the armed forces,” McNerney said. “Our veterans answered our country’s call to serve and endured great sacrifice – now it’s our responsibility to make sure that our veterans have the best access to the best possible medical care and the benefits that they have earned.”
While talking a good game on Capitol Hill is one thing, the Congressman was part of an envoy to Afghanistan just a few weeks ago to inspect what conditions were like on the ground. He befriended a young troop who asked him about the possibility of increasing combat pay – something he was told hasn’t been increased in many years and makes life difficult for active duty personnel to adequately provide for their families back home.
“I can’t think of anyone more deserving of a raise than our troops, so when I returned I reintroduced a bill to increase military combat pay for our troops. Taking care of the men and women who put their lives on the line for our nation is simply the right thing to do.”
McNerney was a driving force behind locating the Veterans Administration Hospital to San Joaquin County – veterans were previously forced to travel as far away as Palo Alto to receive the care that they needed.
When he isn’t in legislative session, McNerney enjoys handball, running, and hiking – as well as shooting.
To learn more about McNerney and his upcoming run for a third term, visit his campaign page at www.jerrymcnerney.org. The Congressman’s stance on the issues is listed on the site, and a portal for donations is also available.
