McNerney declares intent to unseat Pombo

A Pleasanton Democrat who unsuccessfully tried to unseat Rep. Richard Pombo, R-Tracy, last year has declared his intention to try again in 2006.

Jerry McNerney will face a June primary against Danville resident Steve Filson, who has the support of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee in Washington.

Last year, McNerney emerged as a write-in candidate from the Democratic primary before losing to Pombo by more than 20 percentage points.

“Since 2004, it has become even more obvious to the people in our district that instead of working for the needs of hardworking families, Richard Pombo is using his position of trust to enrich himself and his cronies,” McNerney told dozens of supporters last night at a meeting of the Tracy Democratic Club.

McNerney also addressed audience members’ concerns about the war in Iraq, accusing President Bush of “impeachable offenses” in misrepresenting intelligence during the run-up to war two-and-a-half years ago.

But, he said, the administration has done well reaching its self-imposed deadlines for handing over power to the Iraqi government and drafting a constitution.

“Now it’s time for them to set the most important deadline of all,” McNerney said. “To get our troops out of Iraq.”

McNerney’s position on the war is among the most marked contrasts with his Democratic opponent. Filson also has criticized the administration’s handling of the war and says new leadership is needed, but he says he is not in favor of setting a timeline for withdrawal.

After sailing to easy victory every year since his election in 1992, Pombo could face a tougher fight this year as national Democrats have already begun pouring money into California’s 11th District race.

Last November, McNerney only managed 39 percent of the vote in the district and was beat nearly two-to-one in San Joaquin County. Pombo received 61 percent of last year’s vote.

McNerney said his earlier start this year would allow him to close that gap and mount a more viable campaign. Since his defeat last year, McNerney said, he’s been building a network of grassroots supporters he will use to build a successful campaign, and is more familiar with the people and the issues of the district than Filson.

“I believe I am the person that can beat Richard Pombo,” he said.

An expert on renewable energy, McNerney said Pombo was using his position as chair of the House Resources Committee to focus on anti-environmental crusades while ignoring the needs of the district.

McNerney said if elected, he would work on a dramatic overhaul of the nation’s energy policy, increasing investment in renewable energy and lessening dependence on foreign sources of oil. He said he would like to spend between 16 and 20 years in Congress working on his plans, which he said could create jobs in the district, which is a leader in wind-energy production along the Altamont Pass.

“We will create jobs right here that cannot be exported,” he said. “We will strengthen our national security, and we will be protecting God’s beautiful creation and our pristine areas in national parks and offshore waters.”