Powerful California political blog PolitickerCA.com yesterday took notice of our new 100K Challenge fundraising campaign, posting this story.
The last major filing deadline of the campaign is at the end of the month - and we need to come out strong. We know PolitickerCA.com is paying attention, and so will all the other pundits, talking heads, and opinion-makers.
Help make a solid showing for Jerry.
Click here to donate today and help us reach $100,000 by September 30!
Let me cut to the chase.
Our last major filing
deadline of the campaign is at the end of this month. It is so
important that we have a strong showing in the last report before the
election (which is now only 60 days away)!
To make it happen, we're launching our most aggressive challenge yet - raising $100,000 by September 30th!
We call it our $100K Challenge. Can we count on you to join us?
Our campaign is going strong and the momentum is building.
In just the last few weeks, Jerry's received endorsements from lots of different prominent elected officials and groups.
Last week, Stockton Mayor Ed Chavez threw his support behind Jerry, saying, "He's back in California every weekend - in fact, it's nearly impossible to spend a Saturday in Stockton without running into him."
Chavez continued, "He puts the needs of his constituents first; that's why he earns my endorsement."
That's been Jerry's commitment since his first day in office.
Mayor Chavez's endorsement came right on the heels of 115 educators from all across the 11th district announcing their support for Jerry, including Dr. Everett Low, who serves on the Lincoln Unified School Board with our Republican opponent.
As Dr. Low put it, "Jerry
McNerney represents our students with honesty and integrity. As a
School Board member, it is refreshing to see a fellow elected official
truly have the students' best interests at heart."
Though Jerry has
widespread support throughout the district, we know that Washington
Republicans will stop at nothing to buy this election and will use
whatever tactics they think will work. We must continue our positive
grassroots campaign.
But we can only do it with your support.
We know our challenge of
raising $100,000 by the end of the month is tough, but we also know
that together, we can not only meet this goal, we can absolutely
shatter it.
Jerry's led the fight in
Congress for better treatment for our troops and veterans, including
writing legislation to increase military pay and provide better
treatment for those with PTSD and traumatic brain injury. He's at the
forefront of renewable energy legislation in Congress, writing and
helping pass bills that heavily invest in renewable energy technology
and production, while creating jobs.
And most importantly, Jerry continues to stand up to President Bush and his devastating policies on energy and Iraq - keeping his promise to never vote for a funding increase without a timeline for troop withdrawal.
Jerry is committed to
keeping up his good work in Congress and meeting with constituents
whenever he can, but he can't fight alone.
Jerry needs your help.
Please help us reach our goal
of raising $100,000 by September 30th. We know we set the bar high,
but we also know that with generous support form all of our grassroots
supporters, we can easily beat this challenge.
We need everyone to come
together, just like you did in 2006, and make sure that we keep Jerry
in office, fighting hard for each of us, not the special interests and
lobbyists.
Please contribute $28, $88, $108,
or whatever you can to help us beat our goal and give Jerry the tools
he needs to fight back against the smear-and-fear campaign the
Republicans are hoping will help them buy this seat.
Stand up with Jerry once again.
Thank you for your continued support,
Robbyn Umland
Finance Director
McNerney For Congress
PS - Please urge your friends and family to share in our challenge and contribute to help keep Jerry in office today. Our victory will only come if everyone helps!
I have some really exciting news to report.
Just a few minutes ago, Stockton Mayor Ed Chavez lent his support to my reelection campaign.
Chavez has served as Stockton’s mayor since 2005. Before that, he spent 30 years with the Stockton Police Department, including the last 10 as Police Chief.
I’m honored to receive Mayor Chavez’s endorsement.
I’ve worked hard and reached across party lines to represent the people of our region – by returning home each weekend to meet with community members and hear their ideas and concerns. And I’ve delivered on that commitment by working to combat the scourge of meth, to improve infrastructure like our crucial levies, roads and interoperable communications equipment, and ensure our veterans receive the benefits they earned through their service.
As Stockton Mayor and Police Chief, Ed Chavez understands not only the great challenges we face as a community, but also how by working together we can achieve important victories.
Earlier today, Mayor Chavez explained his endorsement.
“I have been impressed with what Congressman McNerney has done in his short tenure in office. He’s back in California every weekend – in fact, it’s nearly impossible to spend a Saturday in Stockton without running into him. He’s worked with Republicans, Independents and Democrats to deliver for veterans, for children and for the first-responders in our community, our police officers and firefighters, who put their lives on the line daily.
“Congressman McNerney has served his constituents well by helping create family-wage jobs in renewable energy, bringing home federal funds for important infrastructure projects in our region, working to make sure veterans have access to services they’ve earned, and being open, available and accessible to members of our community.”
“He puts the needs of his constituents first; that’s why he earns my endorsement.”
In his tenure as Mayor, Chavez has worked to promote and strengthen Stockton’s diverse neighborhoods, promoting economic development and tackling methamphetamine, graffiti and crime.
Mayor Chavez was born and raised in Stockton and attended local schools. He obtained an A.A. from San Joaquin Delta College in 1970, earned a B.A. in Criminal Justice from California State University - Sacramento in 1972, and a M.S. in Management from Cal Poly Pomona in 1992.
UPDATE 10:41AM: Ben van der Meer wrote about the endorsement over at PolitickerCA
UPDATE 10:47 AM: Randy Bayne blogged about the endorsement on The Bayne of Blog
UPDATE: 11:22AM: Josh Richman and the Contra Costa Times' Inside Politics Blog wrote too
Today, as many students across the 11th district are back in school, I announced the endorsement of over 115 district educators, including Dr. Rick Wentworth, the San Joaquin County School Superintendent; Dr. Joe Ovick, the Contra Costa County School Superintendent; and Dr. Everett Low, an elected member of the Lincoln Unified School District.
I'm proud to receive such broad support from educators across our district. Quality education should never be a partisan issue. Having an educated workforce is fundamental to ensuring our nations continued economic leadership in the world and that means making sure our children and those who instruct and nurture them have every resource they need to succeed.
"Jerry McNerney represents our students with honesty and integrity. As a School Board member, it is refreshing to see a fellow elected official truly have the students best interests at heart," said Lincoln Unified School District Trustee Everett Low. Low has served on the Lincoln Unified Board for 14 years.
Dr. Ovick explained his endorsement this way, "Congressman McNerney knows that we need to inspire our students, strengthen our schools, make sure our teachers are qualified and supported, reduce class size, and provide career and technical educational opportunities. Jerry has been a leader in fighting for quality education for students throughout the district." Ovick has served as Contra Costa County Superintendent since 1996.
Dr. Wentworth, San Joaquin Superintendent for 18 years, said, "Jerry McNerney is committed to creating jobs here in San Joaquin County and he knows a big part of that is improving our schools. Improving education achievement will not only mean that our students will be prepared for the family-wage jobs of the future, but will also help recruit businesses to our region."
The following educators and school board members are endorsing my reelection effort:
Harvey Addie, Stockton
Janis Arnerich, Danville
Beverly Ascencio, Stockton
Sue Attoe, San Ramon
Jerry Bailey, Stockton
Eileen Barr, Dublin
Jill Battilega, Pleasanton
Kathleen Bauer, San Ramon
Megan Bergantz, Morgan Hill
Mark Borowsky, Dublin
Chris Bourg, Pleasanton
Brian Bourg, Pleasanton
Judith Bryer, Pleasanton
Joan Buchanan, Alamo
Vice President, San Ramon Valley School Board
Colleen Cambra, San Ramon
Bruce Cameron, San Ramon
Diana Cameron, San Ramon
Janet Cavallaro, Danville
Kaci Chambers, Stockton
Clarence Chan, Stockton
Former Trustee, Stockton Unified School District
Terry Conde, Danville
Cheryl Cook-Kallio, Pleasanton
Rich Cornelison, Stockton
Anna Dearlove, Tracy
Dillon Delvo, Stockton
Trustee, Stockton Unified School District
Richard DelTredici, Pleasanton
Judy DelTredici, Pleasanton
Tammy Dunbar, Escalon
Jan Enberg, Pleasanton
Erin Espinoza, Stockton
Beverly Fitch-McCarthy, Stockton
Trustee, Stockton Unified School District
Dick Fizell, Stockton
Pat Fluetsch, Stockton
Mike Fluetsch, Stockton
Gloria Fredette, Pleasanton
Former Trustee, Pleasanton Unified School District
Linda Garbarino, Pleasanton
Sarah Gehrke, Stockton
Ed Gehrke, Stockton
Lana Gentry, Lodi
Heinz Gewing, Dublin
Walter Gissell, Discovery Bay
Louis Gonzalez, Stockton
Former Trustee, Stockton Unified School District
Walter Gouveia, Tracy
John M. Gray, Stockton
Former Trustee, Lincoln Unified School District
Jeff Halbe, Pleasanton
Carol Halbe, Pleasanton
Sandi Harris, Brentwood
Keith Harris, Brentwood
Jan Hastings, Stockton
Jennifer Henry, Dublin
Trustee, Dublin Unified School District Board
Cheree Hethershaw, Pleasanton
Jennifer Hillier, San Ramon
Nancy Hoffman, Brentwood
David Johnson, Lodi
Erika Johnston, Pleasanton
Julia Jones, Pleasanton
Richard Jones, Lodi
Vice President, Lodi Unified School District
John Kallio, Pleasanton
Barbara Kellogg, San Ramon
Pat Kernan, Pleasanton
Trustee, Pleasanton Unified School District
James Key, Brentwood
Wendy Kimsey, Pleasanton
Terri Knudsen, Morgan Hill
Patricia Kohnen, Dublin
Trustee, Dublin Unified School District Board
Gail La Bonte, Danville
Claire Lamb-Key, Brentwood
John Ledahl, Dublin
Vice President, Dublin Unified School District Board
Terry Ludlow, Pleasanton
Peter Mandel, Morgan Hill
Trustee, Morgan Hill Unified School District
Jenneffer Maple, Lodi
Mary Mara, Dublin
Vicki Marien, Lodi
Anne McCaughey, Stockton
Laurie Mitnick, Stockton
Dr. Jamye Merritt, Stockton
Douglas Moon, Pleasanton
Evelyn Moore, Manteca
Vice President, Manteca Unified School Board
Mike Moran, Pleasanton
Claudia Moreno, Stockton
Wallace Moreskine, Brentwood
Elizabeth Moreskine, Brentwood
Larry Moyer, Pleasanton
Judy Murphy, San Ramon
Sylvia Oshima, Stockton
Yolanda Pena-Mendrek, Brentwood
Trustee, Liberty High School District Board
Don Peterson, Manteca
Susan Piekarski, Pleasanton
Earl Pimentel, Manteca
Former Trustee, Lodi Unified School District
Karen Pramme, Danville
Stephen Pramme, Danville
Carlo Proto, Stockton
Analiese Richard, Stockton
Marvin Rothschild, Tracy
Former Trustee, Tracy Unified School District
Diane Roza, Tracy
Glenn Ruley, San Ramon
School Board Member, Contra Costa County
Theresa Sage, Morgan Hill
Gloria Saltzman, Tracy
Guy Sanders, Pleasanton
Tim Sbranti, Dublin
Lydia Scheider, Danville
Erik Scherer, Pleasanton
Dan Schneider, Pleasanton
Lydia Schneider, Danville
Janet Sears, Pleasanton
Mercedes Silveira, Tracy
Rosie Simms, Danville
Anna Song, Santa Clara
Board Member, Santa Clara County Board of Education
Kay Starring, Ripon
Kathleen Sullivan, Morgan Hill
Trustee, Morgan Hill Unified School District
Eric N. Swalwell, Dublin
Former President, Dublin Unified School District Board
Paul Swenson, San Ramon
Bill Swenson, Tracy
Trustee, Tracy Unified School District
Sandra Thornton, Stockton
Richard Vr Meer, Brentwood
Leslie Weiss, Stockton
Susan Wells, Pleasanton
Sue Wild, San Ramon
John Williams, Stockton
On Tuesday, August 26th, I invite you to attend the McNerney Veterans and Military Family Night at the Stockton Ports, where the Ports and I will throw open the doors to Banner Island Ballpark and invite our veterans to take in a game for free.
Our Veterans and Military Families Night at the Ports is a way to thank our veterans and their families for the sacrifices they made on behalf of our country. It will be a wonderful night as we cheer our Ports to victory over the Lancaster Jayhawks.
Tickets to Tuesday night's game are available at www.JerryMcNerney.org or by calling (925) 833-0643. Veterans get in for free, their family members will receive discounted tickets of $5 each, and general admission tickets are available for $7 each. All attendees can purchase a hot dog and drink special for $6 with a ticket to the game.
The doors at Banner Island Ballpark open at 6:05 p.m. and I will throw the first pitch at 7:05p.m.
I hope you are able to join us to honor the brave service of our veterans and the sacrifices of their families.
Banner Island Ballpark is at 404 W Fremont Street in Stockton. Driving directions and information on parking can be found here.
Glenn and Mary Reinke have been solid volunteers since 2006. Mary, a retired telecommunications worker and her husband Glenn, a retired banking examiner and Army veteran, spend time helping out with mailings and other projects.
During the 2006 campaign, Mary served as a volunteer coordinator herself, using her personal stories about supporting Jerry to recruit new volunteers, and Glenn is currently walking his entire precinct for Jerry. In their spare time, Mary trains for a leukemia half marathon and both like to spend time with their son, a police officer in Hayward, and daughter, a paralegal and triathlete. Of course, that is when they are not volunteering from home, as they often like to do.
Thank you to Glenn and Mary for their hard work and dedication to helping Jerry!
Today, I was honored to be endorsed by Dave Norris. As a Tracy resident, decorated Vietnam veteran, and immediate past President of the California Veterans of Foreign Wars, his support means much to me, as I continue to work to serve our nation's veterans.
The Tri-Valley Herald just wrote about it, and I'm proud to share it with you.
Rep. Jerry McNerney announced endorsements from Northern California veterans Wednesday at the Veterans Memorial in Manteca.
David Norris, past state commander of the California Veterans of Foreign Wars, as well as other veterans who live in the 11th Congressional District, voiced their support for McNerney, a Democrat from Pleasanton. "He has stood up for veterans," Norris said to the small group gathered.
You can read the rest of the story here.
Today, Veterans' Affairs Committee Chairman Bob Filner from San Diego joined Congressman McNerney in touring the Livermore VA and discussing ways to keep the much-needed facility open and available for our local veterans.
ABC7News covered the story.
LIVERMORE, CA (KGO) -- The government's move to shut down a Veterans Affairs Hospital in Livermore is running into opposition from veterans and some high level supporters. They want to change the hospital's mission, to specialize in returning veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder.
Bob Filner (D) of Chula Vista, the chairman of the House Veterans Affairs Committee, came to Livermore at the request of East Bay Congressman Jerry McNerney (D) of California's 11th District. McNerney sits on that committee and together they both lit into the V.A. accusing the agency of worrying more about saving money, than saving lives.
Click this link to watch the video.
From Lisa Vorderbrueggen's Inside Politics blog:
Rep. Jerry McNerney, D-Pleasanton, introduced today legislation that would increase pay rates for the military’s most dangerous jobs.
The Combat Operations and Medical Benefit Authorization for Our Troops Act would also raise wages for servicemembers undergoing rehabilitation after evacuation from combat zones and hike salaries of the psychologists and other medical personnel who care for them.
In addition, military personnel involuntarily separated from their spouses and children would receive an increase.
You can read the rest of the article here.
