Candidate for
United States Representative; District 11

Jerry McNerney and Mary, his wife of 27 years, have lived and raised their children in Pleasanton since 1990. Their oldest son, Michael, is an officer in the US Air Force. Daughter Windy is a graduate student at Notre Dame University, and youngest son, Greg, is studying optical engineering at UC Davis.

Jerry grew up in a devout Catholic family and attended St. Joseph's Military Academy in Hays, Kansas, where he learned the basics of military life. Jerry accepted an appointment to the United States Military Academy at West Point in 1969 but soon decided against a military career. He transferred to the University of New Mexico, where he studied engineering and mathematics, earning a PhD in 1981. Jerry served several years as a contractor to Sandia National Laboratories on Kirtland AFB working on national security programs. In 1985, Jerry accepted a senior engineering position with US Windpower (Kenetech), and in 1994 Jerry began working as an energy consultant for PG&E, FloWind, The Electric Power Research Institute, and other utility companies. He is now the CEO of a start-up company that will manufacture wind turbines and is in the process of raising venture capital for the business.

During his career in wind energy, his work contributed to saving the equivalent of approximately 30,000,000 barrels of oil, or 8,300,000 tons of carbon dioxide + the main greenhouse gas + as well as other harmful pollutants.

Jerry was inspired to run for the US House of Representatives by his son Michael, who sought and received a commission in the Air Force in response to the 9/11 attacks. Jerry had talked with Michael about his concerns that his son and other brave young Americans who were willing to risk their lives in defense of this nation deserved better leadership than they were getting from Washington. Michael alerted his father just weeks before the 2004 primary election to the fact that no Democrat was on the primary ballot and that Richard Pombo would be unopposed in the general election. Michael suggested that Jerry serve his country by running for office. Jerry accepted the challenge. With a deep sense of duty, he decided that if no one else would step up to run against Pombo, he would. Jerry registered as a write-in candidate. From there, he went on to win the Democratic Party's nomination and received over 100,000 votes in the general election.

Jerry is an avid reader and has written three novels, numerous essays, and a diet satire. He enjoys hiking and hunting in the Sierras with family and friends.

As an engineer and energy specialist, Jerry brings a unique and critical perspective to the Congress. Jerry's signature issue will be clean energy, and he is determined to help guide and direct our nation to a sustainable energy policy that will provide the basis for a healthy, prosperous, and secure economy for future generations.