Jerry McNerney
Jerry McNerney is a Democratic candidate for the U.S. House of Representatives, for the 11th District of California, which includes a rural area around Stockton. He is running for the 2006 election against Richard Pombo. McNerney first ran against Pombo for the same seat in 2004, and lost by 61% to 39%, after entering the race two weeks before the primary election as a write-in candidate. He launched his 2006 campaign early in 2005, ensuring that he will be better prepared for his second attempt.
McNerney holds a Ph.D. in math from the University of New Mexico and works as a developer of wind energy.
Background
Jerry McNerney and Mary, his wife of 27 years, have lived and raised their children in Pleasanton since 1990.
Jerry grew up in a devout Catholic family and attended St. Joseph’s Military Academy in Hays, Kansas, where he learned the basics of military life. Jerry accepted an appointment to the United States Military Academy at West Point in 1969 but soon decided against a military career. He transferred to the University of New Mexico, where he studied engineering and mathematics, earning a PhD in 1981. Jerry served several years as a contractor to Sandia National Laboratories on Kirtland AFB working on national security programs. In 1985, Jerry accepted a senior engineering position with US Windpower (Kenetech), and in 1994 Jerry began working as an energy consultant for PG&E, FloWind, The Electric Power Research Institute, and other utility companies. He is now the CEO of a start-up company that will manufacture wind turbines.
During his career in wind energy, his work contributed to saving the equivalent of approximately 30,000,000 barrels of oil, or 8,300,000 tons of carbon dioxide – the main greenhouse gas – as well as other harmful pollutants.
Campaign for Congress
Jerry was inspired to run for the US House of Representatives by his son Michael, who sought and received a commission in the US Air Force in response to the 9/11 attacks. Jerry spoke about his concerns with his son Michael, that since he and other brave young Americans were willing to risk their lives in defense of this nation, they deserved better leadership than they were getting from Washington. Just weeks before the 2004 primary election, Michael alerted Jerry to the fact that no Democrat was on the primary ballot and that the incumbant Congressman Richard Pombo (R-CA) would be unopposed in the general election. Michael suggested Jerry serve his country by running for office. Jerry, with a deep sense of duty accepted the challenge and registered as a write-in candidate for the Democratic primary. From there, he went on to win the Democratic Party's nomination and received 39% of the vote, or nearly 104,000 votes in the general election - the most votes ever received by a challenger to Pombo.
Jerry is an avid reader and has written three novels, numerous essays, and a diet satire. He enjoys hunting and hiking in the Sierras with family and friends.
As an engineer and energy specialist, Jerry brings a unique and critical perspective to the Congress. Jerry’s signature issue will be clean energy, and he is determined to help guide and direct our nation to a sustainable energy policy that will provide the basis for a healthy, prosperous, and secure economy for future generations.
External links
Jerry McNerney for Congress '06 campaign website
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