McNerney takes Demo nomination to oppose Pombo McNerney takes Demo nomination to oppose Pombo (April 30, 2004)

Pleasanton energy consultant wins write-in recount

Gerald McNerney of Menlo Court in Pleasanton has qualified for the Democratic Party nomination to the 11th Congressional District seat and will run against incumbent Richard Pombo (R., 11th) on the Nov. 2 ballot.

McNerney, 52, who has a doctorate degree in mathematics from the University of New Mexico, moved to Pleasanton with his wife and three children in 1990. Long involved in wind energy and national security programs as a contractor to Sandia National Labs in Albuquerque, he took a job locally with US Windpower. In 1994, he became an energy consultant for PG&E, and more recently has become an independent energy consultant.

McNerney said he decided to become a candidate for the Congressional seat at the urging of his son Michael, who was concerned that no Democrat was opposing Pombo on the November ballot. McNerney placed his name on the March 2 Primary ballot as a write-in candidate for the Democratic Party nomination. He needed 1,740 votes to secure the nomination, but came up 73 votes short. He learned last week after an extensive recount of paper ballots that he had qualified by two votes.

McNerney said that if he wins in November, he plans to spend several years in Congress to champion programs that result in good, long-term jobs in America along with a healthy environment.

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