Shoemaker, McNerney headed to runoff for State Senate District 5

The south end of the Tri-Valley is set to have a new representative in the State Senate following this year’s general election, with the top two candidates in the March primary race for the seat set to continue their campaigns in the coming months and square off on November’s ballot.

Central Valley businessman Jim Shoemaker (R-San Joaquin County) and former congressman Jerry McNerney (D-Pleasanton) emerged as the top two candidates for the seat representing the newly-drawn State Senate District 5 in the March 5 primary election, with Shoemaker at 43.7% of the vote and McNerney at 33.2%, according to results available from the Secretary of State as of Tuesday.

The third candidate in the primary race, Assemblymember Carlos Villapudua (D-Stockton) trailed behind in third place with 23.1% of the vote.

While Shoemaker was the clear favorite for voters throughout the new district, verified results from Alameda County that were certified on Monday show him and McNerney nearly neck-and-neck with Alameda County voters at 38.12% and 36.53% of the vote respectively. Villapudua also had a slightly stronger showing with Alameda County voters than he did districtwide, with 25.36% of the vote.

Meanwhile in San Joaquin County, Shoemaker appears to be the clear top contender for the seat, with 46.42% of the vote compared with 31.2% for McNerney and 22.18% for Villapudua, according to the latest results.

The three candidates were vying for a wide-open seat in the new Senate District 5, which was altered during the most recent redistricting process following the 2020 census to include Pleasanton, Livermore, Dublin and Sunol along with much of the San Joaquin Valley including Stockton, Tracy, and a portion of Modesto under the new district lines.

Under the previous district lines in effect through the November election, all of the Tri-Valley communities fall under State Senate District 7, represented by Steve Glazer (D-Orinda). 

With current District 5 Senator Susan Eggman terming out this year, the race has been wide open for a new face representing the new district in the State Senate.

McNerney, who previously served in the U.S. House of Representatives from 2007 to 2023, was the only candidate to issue a public statement following the March 5 primary, during which he called Shoemaker “an ultraconservative and big Trump supporter.” 

“I’m thankful for my longtime and recent supporters who entrust me with their vote and confidence,” McNerney said on Facebook on March 19. “For those who supported and voted for another candidate, I thank you for participating, and I will do my best to earn your support as we move forward.”

“This primary contest shows how unlimited corporate money can distort issues or influence electioneering. It’s a shame we have a system where money and greed plays such an outsized role,” he continued. “This just illustrates why campaign finance and other election reforms are so important in today’s society, at all levels of government. One thing is clear however, the grassroots came out on top in this election.”

Shoemaker and Villapudua did not respond to requests for comments on the primary election outcome as of press time.

Shoemaker, the only Republican and a political newcomer in the race, is campaigning on a platform aimed at “taking back California” according to his Facebook profile, with campaign issues that include family safety and support, parental involvement in education, addressing homelessness throughout the state, and supporting agriculture.

“As a San Joaquin County resident for over three decades, I am proud of our Valley Values of strong faith, loving families and hard work,” Shoemaker said on his campaign page. “As a husband, father and grandfather, I want to ensure our neighborhoods are safe. That means holding criminals accountable and rescinding soft-on-crime initiatives prioritizing lawbreakers over the law-abiding.”

“As a business owner, I know the onerous burden Sacramento politicians have saddled us with through sky-high taxes and crippling regulations,” he continued. “It is time to get back to commonsense governing. Ensure California students have better educational opportunities while empowering parents to have a greater role in their kid’s education.”

McNerney’s platform has included highlighting his work in congress, including support for veterans, sustainable energy, infrastructure, youth programming, reproductive rights, and local police. 

“From protecting the Delta and building a sustainable water future for Californians to combating climate change and closing the digital divide, I’ve used my platform as a senior member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee to raise awareness around issues affecting our area and to fight for real, lasting solutions,” McNerney said on his campaign site. “Now, I’m running for State Senate to keep up the work.”

Voters are set to choose between Shoemaker and McNerney in the runoff vote in the Nov. 5 general election.