Plus a few observations

By Allen Payton, Publisher

Some candidates for Antioch city council and school board have formed alliances during this election. In addition, there have been some interesting claims made by various candidates running to represent Antioch in different levels of government.

Alliances and Endorsements

First you have Councilwoman Mary Rocha, who is running for reelection, endorsing fellow candidate, and newcomer Monica Wilson. But nowhere does it say Wilson is endorsing Rocha.

Then there’s Wilson and Antioch School Board candidate Synitha Walker running joint automated phone calls (robo-calls) to voters asking them to vote for both of them. They have endorsed each other, as well. Plus Walker has been endorsed by Antioch Mayor Pro Tem and Mayoral candidate Wade Harper.

Wilson and Rocha have been endorsed by Public Employees Union Local One, which makes me wonder to whom they’ll be beholden when the time comes for contract negotiations. Not usually a good thing for taxpayers.

The Antioch Police Officers Association (the cops’ union, not the Antioch Police Department) has endorsed Don Freitas for Mayor. But that’s not surprising since he gave them the very generous and expensive 3% at 50 retirement benefit, as well as the expensive, six-year contract in 2007, which the current council had to buy their way out of – and which has prevented the city from affording all the police we need. Instead we’re down a net 30 sworn police officers, right now. The APOA has also endorsed current Mayor Jim Davis, who voted for the same things Freitas gave them. The difference is, Davis learned the error of his ways and supported the new contract, this year, which reduces city costs for police pensions and pay.

Partisan politics in Antioch, race-based endorsements by the Dems?

The county Democrat Party has endorsed both Rocha and Wilson for Antioch City Council and Synitha Walker and Deborah Vinson for School Board – all of them minority women, as well as Wade Harper for Mayor – instead of any white Dem man or woman for Mayor, Council or School Board, to the consternation of some of their white, Democrat opponents.

Plus the Dems endorsed the 21-year-old, African-American, recent college graduate, De’shawn Woolridge, for College Board, over the more experienced (and white) Dems Daniel Borsuk and Greg Enholm, who have each served in public office.

A further complaint, by some of the white Democratic candidates, is that on the county Democratic Central Committee’s October 18 meeting agenda (Updated 11/3/12) all but one were minority candidates under item #8,:“Other campaign help needed Monica, De’Shawn, Deborah, Argentina, Sarah, Jael, Maria, Cecilia and other endorsed candidates.”

(Updated 11/3/12) That information is being emailed around as well as that by a statistician who claims if the endorsements were a random decision it would happen only once in every 120 elections.

(Updated 11/3/12) Read the response to this issue by the CCDCC’s Endorsement Chair, by clicking here.

Regardless of the racial aspect, my question is why is the Democratic Party injecting itself into local, what are supposed to be, non-partisan races? Then again, the Republicans are, too for the first time in this writer’s memory. They have a door hanger that volunteers are distributing to homes of Republican voters with a list of all their candidates for local, state and federal office.

Also on the Republican side, the county Central Committee voted to oppose Measure B in Antioch and included it on the door hanger. But after local Republican leaders in Antioch said they were supporting it, the party said go ahead and change the flyers.

Baseless attacks

There have been relatively few attacks in any of the local elections, this year. But, in the Mayor’s race, during the Contra Costa Times/League of Women Voters candidate forum, which can be seen on the Times website, Harper attacked Freitas for the growth that happened during his two terms as Mayor. One problem, almost all the new growth that has happened in Antioch was approved in the late 1980’s and early 1990’s, long before Freitas was elected to the City Council in 1998.

Update 10/31/12: I was reminded by a reader, yesterday, that Freitas did in fact approve growth, when he voted to extend the expiring development agreements during his terms on the council. The proof is the implementation of the Residential Development Allocation (RDA) program fee on those new homes, which generated funds that the council spent on various things, such as the six, bluish grey “City of Antioch” signs around town.

Then in the Antioch Chamber of Commerce debate, Freitas attacked Gary Agopian and took a swipe at the entire current City Council for voting to hire additional police officers using a federal grant for three years, claiming it was playing politics. Doesn’t Don realize that if he’s elected, he’ll be working with at least two and as many as four of the current council members? Not a good way to offer leadership.

Where was Wade?

Harper missed both the Chamber debate and the Take Back Antioch candidates forum. Harper works swing shift in Tracy as a police Lieutenant, and has to take vacation time to attend City Council meetings. The Chamber debate was on a Thursday evening when he was working. But, why did he miss Take Back’s Saturday morning forum? Earlier this year he said he couldn’t attend a special meeting to discuss placing a police tax on the ballot, if it were held. If he doesn’t have the time to attend council meetings and candidate forums, how does he think he’ll have enough time to be Mayor, which takes much more time? Perhaps he should just wait until after he retires in two years.

Word on the street is $150,000 will be spent to help elect Harper as Mayor and that he’s backed by the Seenos, Garaventas and the unions. I’m only aware of one mailer that has been sent out supporting Harper. So unless all that money is going to be spent this week – which I seriously doubt – that probably just isn’t true.

Honesty is such a lonely word

The most interesting thing stated in this campaign was by Woolridge who is using the word “Experience” on his campaign signs, which is a bit humorous, if not just plain dishonest. What experience? He just graduated from college in May and is 21 years old. The ones with experience in the race are Borsuk with eight years as an elected member of the County Board of Education and Enholm with four years as an elected member of the Ambrose Recreation and Park District Board. Woolridge has only served in appointed positions, except for being elected student body president while in college.

Woolridge told me he currently works three jobs. How will he find the time to serve in an elected position?

Woolridge also states on his campaign website “Native of the District” but he was born in Oakland, according to the Success Story about him on the Los Medanos College website before it was removed in October. He was raised in Pittsburg, but that doesn’t make him a native. (Perhaps we need to see his long form birth certificate. LOL)

Plus, Woolridge has gone a bit over the top by posting a graphic on his Facebook page which includes a photo of Martin Luther King, Jr. with the words “I have a dream,” a photo of President Obama with the words “I’m living that dream,” then a photo of himself with the words “I want to keep the dream alive.” Clever. But, perhaps he should think about King’s other statement about “the content of their character.” Honesty is the most important character trait we need in our elected officials.

The most interesting endorsement

Then there’s the most interesting endorsement of any candidate in Antioch. That’s the one by Willie Brown, the controversial former Speaker of the California State Assembly and Mayor of San Francisco for Noel Pinto, who has it on his website. Huh? Why would anyone in Antioch want the influence of Willie Brown in our city? The only local endorsement Pinto claims is former Councilman and current candidate for City Clerk, Arne Simonsen.

As for Simonsen he also endorsed Don Freitas for Mayor, with whom he formed a coalition immediately following the 2008 election, which they both lost, called the Friday Morning Breakfast Club. Interestingly, Simsonsen states “I do not accept endorsements from elected officials or political parties” and “The city clerk must be nonpartisan in all aspects.” Then why is he endorsing other candidates whose elections he’ll be overseeing, if he’s elected City Clerk?

The other candidate in the Clerk’s race, Argentina Davila-Luevano lists her occupation as “Social Worker” but she isn’t. She used to be and has a degree in it. But, in her ballot statement she says “I am president and CEO of California LULAC Institute a nonprofit organization designed to provide services and programs in Education, Health, Housing Social Cultural and Economic Development throughout California.” LULAC stands for League of United Latin American Citizens. She told me she does social work when helping people through that organization, but that doesn’t make her one, currently.

Stuff that makes you go hmmmm

Davila-Luevano’s “Top Priorities if Elected” are Women in Positions – Fifty/Fifty by 2020, Ending Violence Against Women – Globally, and Equal Pay for Equal Work. What does any of that have to do with being City Clerk? Nada. (Nothing). Perhaps she’s viewing City Clerk as a stepping stone to higher office where she can pursue those priorities.

The oldest candidate photos

Two winners in this category. Freitas used a photo that’s at least 10 to 15 years old in his campaign materials. It shows him with all brown hair, but he’s got a little touch of grey, now. One of his friends and supporters told me he jokingly told him, “Don, it’s nice to see your senior picture from high school.” Then there’s Ruehlig who used one that’s got to be at least 5 to 10 years old in some of his materials and on his website. No hat on, though.

Free publicity

Both Woolridge and Harper are graduates of LMC and there was a success story on each of them on the LMC website, until this writer discovered the one for Woolridge and questioned the college’s new president and College District’s leadership about it. I wasn’t aware of the one about Harper. But both were removed two days later and will be down until after the election. (see article by clicking here)

Then there’s the article with photos of Ruehlig, entitled “That Guy Beneath the Hat,” in the new magazine, Delta Living, being published by Deer Valley High journalism teacher, Charleen Earley. The article was written by one of her ROP Journalism students, Latori Shepherd, for the DVHS student newspaper. So Earley used it in her magazine, just in time for the election. (to read the article, click here)

Statements by candidates

Pinto has made some statements during the campaign of things he will do to meet with businesses to attract them to town and about other things he wants to do if elected. But, how will he have the time when he works in Berkeley in charge of that city’s parking enforcement? (He recently switched jobs from the City of Oakland). Will he be able to take time off work to be in Antioch during the day or meet for breakfast before going in late for work? It’s possible, since he’s in a management position.

Then there are the statements by Wilson on economic development, which sound good. But that’s it, since she hasn’t accomplished or proposed anything as a member of the city’s Economic Development Commission, according to fellow commissioners. She may have degrees in merchandising and marketing, but she works as an Executive Assistant for one of the deans at Mills College in Oakland. How will she have the time to be in Antioch during the day to meet with business owners and representatives we want to attract to town? Plus, she says her greatest accomplishment is helping with city clean ups. That’s nice and her words are great. But, as my mom always says, “actions speak louder than words.”

Davis also works out of town, in Walnut Creek, but he’s in a management position at a bank and has demonstrated the ability to be in town during the day for city-related matters and make up work during the evening and on Saturdays, when necessary.

Wilson stated during a candidates’ forum, that she “hopes to create a strategic economic plan that would cultivate existing business and bring in new business.” That plan has already been done for Antioch and most of it has yet to be implemented. All she has to do is go get a copy of it from City Hall. It’s the 1996 Antioch Economic Development Plan. I would assume every Economic Development Commissioner would have a copy of it.

Then she said “Once people have jobs, you’ll see crime go down.” She has that backwards. Wilson should know that the businesses with their jobs won’t come to Antioch until after the crime is down.

The most over-the-top, partisan campaign mailer

Wilson put out the most partisan mailer for local office in Antioch that this writer has ever seen. On one side it shows a photo of President Obama and states “Fired Up for Obama – Biden” and “Don’t Stop There” at the top, then “Move Antioch forward by electing Monica Wilson to the Antioch City Council” at the bottom. Then on the other side it states “Add to your Democratic Team” and “Monica Wilson for Antioch City Council – #1 on ballot” at the top of the other side. It provides a list of endorsements of Democrat politicians and organizations. Then it lists her experience of being on the Contra Costa Democratic Central Committee and Policy Issues Chair for the Women’s Caucus of the California Democratic Party, at the bottom, in addition to Economic Development Commissioner. However, Wilson only lists one accomplishment – again, helping with city clean ups, yet says nothing of what she will do if elected. Also at the bottom it states “Ready to Make A Difference.” Then why hasn’t she done so in the position she already holds on the commission? It makes you wonder why she’s really running for the City Council instead of some partisan office. Oh, that’s right, all the partisan seats are held by Democrats and she wouldn’t run against one of them – they’re all backing her. She needs to understand local office is non-partisan and you need to accomplish something before seeking one of the highest offices in our city.

The most interesting campaign ads

Walter Ruehlig wins that award with two ads in the Herald, both dominated by photos of him and some supporters. The first one got him in a little trouble with the priest at his church, St. Ignatius Catholic church, who claimed (unfairly) that it appeared Ruehlig was implying an endorsement by the church and the Fil-Am Society, based there. All the photo showed was Walter and two Filipino-American supporters standing in front of a grotto with a statue of Mary, the mother of Jesus. It didn’t say where it was located, just that the grotto was donated by the Fil-Am Society. The priest sent a scathing letter to this newspaper, which is posted on our website. But, things have been smoothed over and the priest apologized for his over-the-top letter.

Rocha’s ads stating “Bring Back Cooperation, Compassion, Commitment” are interesting. I didn’t know they’d gone away. The commitment part I can understand which differentiates her from a couple of the other candidates who haven’t done much of anything for Antioch, before deciding to run for council. Especially since this is Mary’s 28th year in public office in Antioch. She has said this will be her final campaign, win or lose.

A little humor

If you’re running to improve education, you should probably make sure you spell things correctly. On Synitha Walker’s website it says “Upcomimg Events.” As for one of her events, I have a complaint. She held her campaign kick-off outside of the district at the Straw Hat Pizza in Brentwood. Come on, Synitha, shop Antioch!

I like acronyms. I once promoted H.O.P.E. in one of my campaigns, for Homes, Opportunity, Protection and Education. Walker wins the prize this year with her “Vote S.M.A.R.T.” which stands for “Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Results-oriented, Timely.” I assume she’s referring to educational goals and programs.

On Wilson’s materials and website she uses a bridge as her logo. With her lack of experience and accomplishments in Antioch, I’m afraid that might be a “bridge to nowhere.”

Foxes watching the hen house?

Walker is endorsed by the California Schools Employees Association. The Antioch teachers union is backing three other candidates for School Board, (all white women): incumbent Diane Gibson Gray, newcomer and former principal Barbara Cowan, and former district nurse and teacher’s union rep Linda Anderson (her endorsement is no surprise).

The union mailed a flyer to 10,000 Antioch homes, and Cowan and Anderson have been passing out more of them in front of Antioch schools. The flyer also states endorsements against Prop. 32 (paycheck protection for union members), and in favor of both Prop 30 (tax the rich) and Measure B (Antioch High improvements). There’s already one former teachers’ union rep on the school board in Gary Hack. Does Antioch need another one? If Anderson wins, the teachers will have control of 40% of the board.

There are currently no racial minority members on the Antioch School Board, even though blacks make up over 17% and Hispanics almost 32% of Antioch’s population. That will change if either Walker or Vinson are elected.

Best candidate name

Also running for the school board is John F. “Jack” Yeager, Jr. Now that sounds like a good mixture of names – a President, John F. “Jack” Kennedy, and a famous jet test pilot, Chuck Yeager who was the first to break the sound barrier. And yes, Chuck and Jack Yeager are related. They’re cousins. So, I guess that means Jack has “the right stuff.”

Campaigning on school property?

I’ve seen two signs about Measure B on school property. One is a Vote Yes on B sign on the fence at Prospects High on 2nd Street, which is inappropriate. The other one is a diagram of the improvements to the Antioch High sports fields if Measure B passes, on the school’s fence at the corner of 18th and L Streets. That one’s probably fine, since it’s just information and doesn’t take a position on the Measure. But the other one needs to come down.

Disregard for private property rights?

Any candidate who places a sign on private property without permission is trespassing. Would they want someone putting anything on their property without their permission? Of course not. Come on, candidates. Show some respect and don’t be so desperate to win and PLEASE be responsible and take them down within 10 days after the election. After that they’re just visual pollution and frankly, littering.

It will be interesting to see what happens next Tuesday at all levels of government. Remember to vote and vote smart. In fact that’s a good place to go to get more information about the candidates. Click on http://www.smartvoter.org/2012/11/06/ca/cc/ Then choose either city or school for local races. It’s the League of Women Voters’ election website, in which candidates post their own information. Some of the candidates have done so and have shared links to their websites there, as well.

Good luck to all the candidates and if you lose, don’t just disappear like so many others have done in the past. Get and stay involved. You don’t have to hold elected office to make a difference in our city or schools.

Update 11/5/12: Now, let’s get something, straight. I’m being accused of injecting race into the elections in Antioch. Let’s be clear. I was not the one who put out the emails about the issue. I received them and spoke with a few of the white Democratic candidates for office in Antioch about the issue and shared that information in my commentary. They chose to share it with me on condition of anonymity. If people are upset, so be it. No issue is too sensitive to discuss it if it’s of concern to candidates running for office or the voters. But don’t shoot the messenger or even try to read into anything I wrote. You need to take it on its face value. Debate and discuss the issue don’t attack the one who brought it out of the shadows. If those candidates who have the concern wish to remain anonymous, that’s their choice. But it would be good if they would step forward and share their concerns, publicly and challenge their own party.

This is America where we have freedom of speech. Don’t be afraid to speak up and speak out when you feel an injustice has occurred – no matter who it might be against.

Congressman Jerry McNerney has received the endorsement of Wade Harper, Tracy Police Lieutenant and Mayor Pro Tem of Antioch. The new 9th Congressional district, in which McNerney is running for reelection, includes the majority of Antioch.

“Over the years, I have seen Congressman McNerney stand up for what is right for our city, state and country. He has fought to bring back federal resources, partnering with local folks who know what is needed most, right here at home,” stated Harper who was elected to the city council in 2010 and is running for Mayor, this year. “Especially when it comes to reducing crime, we have a true partner in Congressman McNerney and should send him back to Washington to keep fighting for us.”

When asked what specifically McNerney has done for Antioch, Harper said “Jerry always fights for federal funds to improve infrastructure, like the bypass, that creates jobs and relieves congestion in our area.”

“He is a supporter for public safety, such as the COPS program that gives the state and cities in our country the resources to keep our officers on the street,” he shared, “I know Jerry is someone I will be able to count on to help Antioch address the crime and gang problems. I participated in a meeting with him in 2011 when he attempted to get the National Safe Streets Gang Crime Prevention Act of 2011 passed.”

“I met with Jerry a couple of months ago and discussed the need to protect Antioch’s water rights.  He made a commitment to me that he would stand with me in protecting Antioch’s water rights,” Harper added.

Besides introducing the Crime Prevention Act, to expand the FBI’s Safe Streets Program, to establish a National Gang Activity Database, which was referred to committee but never passed, McNerney “brought $750,000 to boost probation services in Contra Costa County and he introduced a bill to improve treatment and awareness of methamphetamine, use during the last Congress,” according to his campaign staff.

It was a collaborative effort with U.S. Senator Barbara Boxer’s office, that resulted in the grant being awarded to the County.

McNerney also co-sponsored the 2007 bill to increase funding for the COPS program to make grants for public safety and community policing programs.

“I am committed to doing what I can to help address the crime rate in our community. Improving public safety is one of my highest priorities,” said McNerney.

The new 9th District includes the majority of San Joaquin County and portions of Contra Costa and Sacramento Counties.

Congressman Jerry McNerney (D-Stockton) has served the area for nearly six years and is the Ranking Member of the Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs Subcommittee of the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs. For more information visit www.JerryMcNerney.com.

To view a more complete list of legislation voted on by Congressman McNerney, visit http://ontheissues.org/CA/Jerry_McNerney.htm.

Publisher Allen Payton contributed to this article.

 

Attorney, mother, first generation Mexican-American and Assembly District 11 Primary challenger Patricia Hernandez, has given her endorsement and support to Mike Hudson for State Assembly. Hernandez would like all the voters who supported her in the primary to support Mike Hudson for the 11^th Assembly District in the November 6^th General Election.

“Mike will challenge the political partisanship and give us, the working middle class, a voice in Sacramento,” said Hernandez.

“This endorsement means a great deal to me, not only is Patricia a respected Democrat who ran a great campaign in the primary; she is also a leader in the Latino Community.  I thank her for this support,” Mike stated.

The League of Women Voters of Diablo Valley is sponsoring and moderating a candidate forum  between the candidates for California’s 7^th Congressional District, Virginia Fuller and incumbent Congressman George Miller in their only face-to-face meeting. Candidates will respond to written questions from the audience. The 7^th district includes about 30% of Antioch, and covers the northwest part of the city.

The forum is free band will run from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. The event is co-sponsored by the Social Justice Council of the Mt. Diablo Unitarian Universalist Church and will be held at the church in Bortin Hall, which is located at 55 Eckley Lane in Walnut Creek. All are welcome, but no campaign materials are allowed inside Bortin Hall.

Virginia Fuller, a Republican, is a registered nurse, and is endorsed by the Contra Costa Republican Party and  the Contra Costa Tea Party.  She supports a flat tax for all; opposes illegal immigration policies, including “Sanctuary Cities”; supports stiff penalties to businesses that hire illegal aliens; supports repeal of “Obamacare”; supports charter schools and school vouchers, and believes that the defense of our nation is the primary responsibility of the Federal government. For more information visit www.fullerforcongress.org.

George Miller, a Democrat, has represented Contra Costa County and the East Bay of San Francisco since 1975.  Rep. Miller has worked throughout his congressional career on behalf of children and the middle class. His priorities have included providing safe, affordable health care for all people, ensuring every child has access to a quality education, standing up against discrimination, and creating jobs and enhancing economic security for middle class Americans. He is also an advocate and leader for fish and wildlife protection and conservation, ensuring responsible stewardship of our lands and waters, and developing clean energy technologies. For more information visit www.georgemillerforcongress.com.

The Los Medanos College Debate Team will be presenting an informational debate about Proposition 30. The debate will take place on Wednesday, October 24 from 6:30-8:00 p.m at the Pittsburg City Council Chambers, 65 Civic Avenue in Pittsburg. Admission and Parking is free.

The award-winning debate team will present both sides of the argument as they focus on “Should we raise taxes to fund education?” The informational event will raise the best arguments on both sides so attendees can make up their own minds about this important ballot initiative. Light refreshments will be served following the debate.

The event is co-sponsored by the LMC Debate team and the LMC Honors Program. For more information, visit www.losmedanos.edu/honors/events.

Los Medanos College (LMC) is one of three colleges in the Contra Costa Community College District. LMC prepares students to excel and succeed economically, socially and intellectually in an innovative, engaging and supportive learning environment. It provides quality programs and state-of-the-art facilities to serve the needs of a rapidly growing and changing East County while enhancing the quality of life of the diverse communities it serves. LMC is located on 120 acres between Pittsburg and Antioch, with an additional education center in Brentwood.

STOCKTON, CA, October 18, 2012 – Leading political analyst Stuart Rothenberg concludes today in Roll Call, the Washington, D.C.-based newspaper that covers Congress and elections, that Congressional candidate Ricky Gill (R-Lodi) is poised to upset three-term incumbent Jerry McNerney (D-Pleasanton).

“[I]nsiders on both sides of the aisle agree that Gill has become a serious threat to McNerney,” Rothenberg writes in an article titled “Looking for House Upsets? Take a Look at These.”

Listing California’s 9th District as the top prospect for an upset, Rothenberg notes that, while numbers indicate the race is competitive, Gill’s opponents are nonetheless “scratching their heads in disbelief over the development.” 

A recent poll found that Gill was leading McNerney by a margin of one point with nine percent of voters undecided.

 

Stockton, Calif. – Today, Congressman Jerry McNerney (D-Stockton) held a press conference highlighting the endorsements of prominent veterans in California.  Earlier this year, Congressman McNerney was named Legislator of the Year by the California Association of County Veterans Service Officers (CACVSO), receiving the Motomu Nakasako Legislator of the Year Award.

“I am proud and honored to receive the endorsements of so many of our veterans.  Standing up for our veterans and providing them with the services and benefits they have earned is a responsibility I take very personally.  These men and women have sacrificed so much to protect our way of life and they deserve to have people in office who will fight for them,” said Congressman McNerney.

Congressman McNerney has received the endorsements of the following veterans:

“Congressman Jerry McNerney has been a tremendously consistent, proactive and responsive advocate for veterans, our Wounded Warriors, our men and women serving in our Armed Forces (Active, Guard and Reserve), and their families.  Whether helping veterans in need of assistance with their VA benefits, supporting Dignity Alcove’s application to be a VA-approved outreach program for homeless veterans, locating the future VA hospital in the Valley, crafting and supporting veterans and military service legislation, or serving as a member of the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, Congressman McNerney has been a difference maker – someone who makes things happen – and a leader who cares more about others than self.” – Roger Brautigan, Ret. General, Former Secretary, California Department of Veterans Affairs

“Congressman McNerney has been a friend of Veterans for many years & I will continue to support him. As you well know I have advocated for Veterans issues for the past 16 years & received his support for the new VA Regional Clinic in San Jaoquin County. Voting for him is the smart thing to do.” – Tino Adame,  Vietnam Combat Veteran and Stockton Resident

“Congressman McNerney has worked hard for veterans in the community, specifically getting the VA to locate the veterans’ hospital in French Camp.  Veterans in this county know how hard he has worked and should stand up and say so.” – Richard Pittman, Medal of Honor Recipient, Vietnam Veteran

“There is no stronger supporter of our veterans than Congressman Jerry McNerney.” – Dave Norris, Past State Commander, California Veterans of Foreign Wars

“As a Vietnam veteran, I fully support Congressman McNerney for his track record of action for the benefit our veterans.  As a person involved in education I support him for his proven leadership and sincere dedication to making a difference in people’s lives, particularly our youth”.  – Ralph Womack, Trustee, Lodi Unified School District

“Approximately eight years ago I tried to get help and ran into brick walls and deaf people, submitting the same documents as many as four times. It wasn’t until Congressman McNerney’s office got involved, that I began to see results. His staff got more done in three days than I could in eight years. Thank you Congressman McNerney for supporting our troops and veterans.” – Republican Paul Cashion, Vietnam Veteran

This adds to a growing list of local public figures and elected officials who have endorsed Congressman Jerry McNerney.

The new 9^th district is significantly Democratic, with a voter registration that is D+11.  The new 9^th includes the majority of San Joaquin County and portions of Contra Costa County, including most of Antioch.

Congressman Jerry McNerney (D-Stockton) has served the area for nearly six years. He is the Chair of the Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs Subcommittee of the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs. He authored the bill to help veterans suffering from traumatic brain injuries. For more information visit www.JerryMcNerney.com.

Congressional candidate Ricky Gill has earned the endorsement of Antioch City Council Member Brian Kalinowski, a Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Lieutenant and registered Democrat.

“Antioch is facing tough times, and we need a change in leadership to address the serious challenges we face,” said Kalinowski, a longtime law enforcement officer and Antioch resident who has served 12 years on the Council. “I know Ricky will be a strong advocate for Antioch when it comes to public safety, education, and economic development. I’m proud to endorse him, and I look forward to working with him in the future.”

“I’m honored to have Brian’s support as we enter the final weeks of this important election,” said Gill. “Antioch and communities across the 9th District need a new generation of leadership to fight for public safety, job growth and educational achievement. I look forward to working with Brian and other leaders in Contra Costa County to tackle these challenges and give our communities the fresh start they deserve.”

Ricky Gill is a native of San Joaquin County who was born and raised in Lodi, California. The son of immigrant parents, Ricky is running against incumbent Congressman Jerry McNerney in California’s 9^th Congressional district which includes most of Antioch. For more information visti www.RickyGill.com.