Jerry McNerney, a man who risked everything to beat
corruption and environmental destruction. And won. A man who did the impossible, who unseated
7-term Congressman Richard Pombo from office in California's 11th District.
Jerry McNerney, a man who will bring expertise
about renewable wind energy to Congress. A man who answered the call of his son to run because
“someone has to step up and fight Pombo. Why not you Dad?”
The McNerney win is a monumental victory for clean technology
and endangered species. A triumph over corruption and schemes to demolish the environment.
Jerry McNerney is a man who radiates intelligence, purpose
and goodness. A wind energy executive who spoke of ushering in a
new era of green technology in California's central valley. I first met Jerry at a
screening of An Inconvenient Truth I was hosting for Harvard alumni. I was
struck by his inner strength, authenticity, and passion for clean technology. He was clearly a man on a mission to beat Richard Pombo. It was not about him. It was about saving the planet.
His chagrined opponent, the once-thought untouchable Richard
Pombo from Tracy, had systematically being trying to dismantle the Endangered Species Act
for years - and was on the cusp of succeeding. Close call. As the chairman of the powerful House
Resources Committee (used to be and is supposed to be “Natural” Resources
Committee), Pombo sought to sell off America's
National Parks and open the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge and America's
coasts to oil drilling. Pombo was listed
as one of the most corrupt politicians in Congress and had ties to disgraced
lobbyist Jack Abramoff. I skimmed through a 500-page report on Richard
Pombo. It was so disturbing and full of
so many atrocities, I had to put it down.
On November 7, 2006, Pombo became the only incumbent
in CA's 53-member congressional delegation to lose a seat. The voters spoke. The results: 53% Jerry
McNerney, 47% Richard Pombo. It was time for a change. Pombo has gone extinct
in Congress. A new modern green species has emerged!
Jerry McNerney, a man who risked everything to beat
corruption and environmental destruction. And won. A man who did the impossible, who unseated
7-term Congressman Richard Pombo from office in California's 11th District. 
On November 7, 2006, Pombo became the only incumbent
in CA's 53-member congressional delegation to lose a seat. The voters spoke. The results: 53% Jerry
McNerney, 47% Richard Pombo. It was time for a change. Pombo has gone extinct
in Congress. A new modern green species has emerged!
Comments