Jerry McNerney

McNerney first ran for Congress against Richard Pombo in California's 11th congressional district in the 2004 House elections. He entered the race two weeks before the primary election as a write-in candidate, encouraged by his son. He qualified to be a write-in candidate for the March 2004 primary by a small margin. Having no primary opponent, he won the primary and qualified for the November general election ballot as the Democratic nominee. He lost the general election, 61%-39%.[6][7]

McNerney launched his 2006 campaign early in the fall of 2005. In June 2006 he won the Democratic primary with 52.8% of the vote, defeating Steve Filson, who had been endorsed by the DCCC, and Stevan Thomas.

Rep. Mary Fallin, Keith Ellison, and Jerry McNerney among Congressional deligate meet with Commander of Multi-National Force – Iraq General David Petraeus in 2007

In late July, Republicans Pete McCloskey and Tom Benigno (both of whom ran in the Republican primary against Pombo) endorsed McNerney.[8] In September, analysis of the campaign was changed from "Republican safe" to "Republican favored" due to the emergence of McNerney's campaign. The report noted "a [GOP] party spokesman says it's because they want to win decisively but others speculate that internal polling has delivered bad news for the incumbent."[9] On October 3, 2006, a poll commissioned by Defenders of Wildlife Action Fund was released with McNerney leading Pombo 48 percent to 46 percent.[10] Based on these events, in early October, CQPolitics.com changed their rating of this race from Republican Favored to Leans Republican[11]

On November 7, 2006, McNerney defeated Pombo 53–47%.[12]

McNerney won re-election 55% to 45% over Republican nominee Dean Andal.

McNerney won re-election 48–47%, defeating Republican nominee David Harmer.[13]

For his first three terms, McNerney represented a district that encompassed eastern Alameda County, most of San Joaquin County–including all of Stockton–and a small portion of Santa Clara County. After redistricting, his district was renumbered as the 9th district. It lost its portion of Alameda County, including McNerney's home in Pleasanton, while picking up part of Sacramento County. After the new map was announced, McNerney announced he would move to San Joaquin County in the new 9th. While the old 11th was a hybrid Bay Area/Central Valley district, the new 9th was more of a Central Valley district. It is, however, slightly more Democratic than its predecessor.[14] He eventually bought a home in Stockton. He won re-election 56–44%, defeating Republican nominee Ricky Gill.[15]

McNerney presenting Chesley Sullenberger with a framed flag, as part of a January 24, 2009 celebration honoring the pilot in his hometown of Danville, California.

Veterans

In 2010, President Obama signed into law a bill written by McNerney which improves care of returning service members with traumatic brain injuries (TBI) by establishing an evaluation panel to assess the Veteran's Administration treatments for TBI and recommend improvements. He also wrote a bill in 2013 that allowed veterans to keep receiving their benefits during the government shutdown.[16]

McNerney was one of the first lawmakers to call for the resignation of VA Secretary Eric Shinseki following revelations in the news media about delays in care at VA health care facilities.[17]

Energy

McNerney is a proponent of renewable energy and supports cap and trade.[18] He has voted for tax incentives for renewable energy and for allowing states to impose stricter emissions standards. He opposes drilling in the Outer Continental Shelf.[19]

McNerney co-sponsored the bill To require the Secretary of Energy to prepare a report on the impact of thermal insulation on both energy and water use for potable hot water (H.R. 4801; 113th Congress), would require the United States Secretary of Energy to prepare a report on the effects that thermal insulation has on both energy consumption and systems for providing potable water in federal buildings.[20] McNerney said that "it is important for us to look for ways to save taxpayer money and ensure the federal government is doing its part to preserve our natural resources."[21] McNerney argued it would be a good way to collect data so that "we can use the findings from this study and make sure we are doing everything we can in both federal and private buildings to maximize energy and water efficiency."[22]

Drug legislation

In 2007, McNerney voted against legislation that would have prevented the DEA from enforcing prohibition in the twelve states (including California) which allow the use of marijuana for medical purposes.[23]

In 2013, McNerney introduced the Methamphetamine Education, Treatment and Hope (METH) Act to modernize and expand programs that combat methamphetamine abuse by expanding treatment for addicts, particularly mothers or pregnant women, and provide grants to provide substance abuse and mental health services in rural areas.[24]

Other issues

McNerney voted in favor of legislation allowing employees to form unions by signing cards authorizing union representation.[25] In 2009, McNerney voted for the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. He has opposed free trade agreements, voting against CAFTA, GATT, and the U.S.-Peru free trade agreement.[26]

In April 2018, McNerney, together with Jared Huffman, Jamie Raskin, and Dan Kildee, launched the Congressional Freethought Caucus. Its stated goals include "pushing public policy formed on the basis of reason, science, and moral values", promoting the "separation of church and state," opposing discrimination against "atheists, agnostics, humanists, seekers, religious and nonreligious persons", among others. Huffman and Raskin will act as co-chairs.[27]

• Committee on Energy and Commerce
  • Subcommittee on Energy and Power
  • Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing and Trade
  • Subcommittee on Environment and Economy
• Committee on Science, Space, and Technology
  • Subcommittee on Energy

• Congressional Arthritis Caucus
• United States Congressional International Conservation Caucus[28]
• Grid Innovation Caucus
• Congressional Freethought Caucus
• Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus[29]
• Climate Solutions Caucus[30]
• Medicare for All Caucus