Jerry McNerney (D-CA-11)

Jerry McNerney California District 11

Jerry McNerney, Biography from House.gov

Biography of Congressman Jerry McNerney

Congressman Jerry McNerney was sworn into office on January 4, 2007. He is proud to represent California’s 11th District, which includes most of San Joaquin County in the Central Valley as well as parts of Contra Costa, Alameda and Santa Clara Counties in the Bay Area.

McNerney was inspired to run for Congress by his son Michael, who in response to the attacks of September 11, sought and received a commission in the Air Force. Michael suggested that his Dad serve his country by running for Congress. With a deep sense of duty and his family’s support, McNerney began his journey to Congress.

Congressman McNerney is honored to serve on the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology and on the Subcommittee on Energy and Environment and the Subcommittee on Investigations and Oversight. Congressman McNerney is also privileged to serve on the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs and is the Ranking Member on the Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs.

McNerney, who has his PhD in mathematics, served several years as an engineering contractor to Sandia National Laboratories in New Mexico. In 1990 McNerney moved with his family to California, accepting a senior engineering position with US Windpower, Kenetech. McNerney later began working as an energy consultant for PG&E, FloWind, the Electric Power Research Institute, and other utility companies. Prior to his election to Congress, he formed a start-up company to manufacture wind turbines. During his career in wind energy, McNerney’s work contributed to saving the equivalent of approximately 30 million barrels of oil, or 8.3 million tons of carbon dioxide.

McNerney and Mary, his wife of 32 years, live and raised their children in Pleasanton, California. Their oldest son, Michael, is a reserve officer in the U.S. Air Force and a graduate of American University with a degree in law. Daughter Windy received an advanced degree from Notre Dame in neuroscience, and youngest son, Greg, is studying bio-physics at UC Davis.

Committee Assignments

Committee on Science, Space, and Technology

Subcommittees:

Energy and Environment
Investigations & Oversight

House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs

Ranking Member:

Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs

Biography from McNerney for Congress Committee

Jerry McNerney, small businessman and renewable energy engineer, was inspired to run for Congress by his son Michael, who joined the Air Force after 9/11. Michael called his Dad after receiving his absentee ballot and saw that no one was running against the incumbent at the time. “Dad,” Michael said. “People should have a choice. I’m serving our country and you can as well by running for Congress.”

At the time, Jerry and his wife Mary were living in Pleasanton, where they raised their three children, Michael, Windy and Greg. Jerry was hard at work starting a renewable energy company. As a small business owner and father, Jerry knows how much of a struggle it can be to make ends meet during difficult times, and at one point even had to take out a second mortgage to pay for his children’s college education.

Jerry took Michael’s words to heart and knew if he was elected, he would serve as an independent voice who understands what it’s like to make ends meet in good times and bad. With his family’s support, Jerry began his journey to serve as the representative for the 11th Congressional District. Thousands of people joined his efforts and helped him to victory. Thanks to everyone’s hard work and support, he was sworn into office on January 4, 2007.

During these tough times, and with so many families struggling, Jerry knows that it’s wrong for Congress or big corporations to benefit at our expense. He has always voted against pay raises for members of Congress and he wrote the bill to close tax loopholes used by corporations to ship American jobs overseas. He’ll keep working hard to bring new jobs to our area.

Jerry is a member of the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, where he is a strong advocate for improving benefits and care for the men and women who served our country. He brought a new veterans medical facility and nursing home to our area, which will create approximately 900 jobs and provide medical care close to home for our local veterans. He also wrote and passed a new law that will improve care for service members returning home with traumatic brain injuries, which unfortunately are the signature wounds currently affecting our troops overseas.

Jerry has a PhD in mathematics and spent over two decades developing renewable energy technology. His efforts in wind energy helped save the equivalent of approximately 30 million barrels of oil. Now, Jerry is putting this expertise to work as a member of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce. He is the author of three major bills, passed by the House of Representatives, that will help train the next generation for green jobs, increase the efficiency of our electrical grid, and invest in infrastructure for electric vehicles. He is also the co-author of a bill to help spur local manufacturing of these cars.

Jerry is committed to serving the area he represents. Jerry and Mary still live in the same California town where they raised their children, and Jerry is home every weekend to hear directly from people about their thoughts and ideas. He has held over 60 “Congress At Your Corner” town hall meetings and attends as many community events as he can. He works tirelessly to help create jobs, improve benefits for veterans and current service members, and stand up for what’s right.

Do you know where you still on the political spectrum? See “Political Beliefs, Where Are You” to find out where you stand.