Jerry McNerney

Potential gubernatorial candidate Meg Whitman got a big soapbox this week at the RNC, while U.S. Sen. Feinstein's talk of her own potential run is not welcome news to Mayor Gavin Newsom, so they're among this week's Winners & Losers.| CLICK HERE

U.S. Rep. Jerry McNerney: Campaign PhotoDUBLIN - Representatives of Congressman Jerry McNerney announced Thursday that he is seeking to raise $100,000 from local supporters during the month of August.

The first-term McNerney (D-Pleasanton) is being challenged by former state lawmaker Dean Andal (R-Stockton for control of the 11th Congressional District seat.

"Our last major filing deadline of the campaign is at the end of this month.  It is so important that we have a strong showing in the last report before the election (which is now only 60 days away)!" said McNerney for Congress Finance Director Robbyn Umland in a press statement.

BLOOMINGTON, Minn. - U.S. Rep. David Dreier told California's GOP convention delegation that not only can U.S. Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) win the state in the November presidential election, the state could provide a boost for the party's congressional fortunes as well.

Dreier said afterward that he was high on the prospects of Republican Dean Andal unseating U.S. Rep. Jerry McNerney (D-Pleasanton) in the 11th Congressional District, along with possible wins in Kentucky and Pennsylvania.

"I don't think we're going to lose seats in November," Dreier (R-San Dimas) said of his party's prospects in the House of Representatives. "They say we'll lose 20 seats, and I think that's too high. We could possibly even gain some seats."

BLOOMINGTON, Minn. - The head of one of California's largest conservative volunteer groups said there's hope that a tight presidential race could help in some closely contested legislative races in the state this fall.

Mike Spence, president of the California Republican Assembly and a delegate to the Republican National Convention, said strong Democratic fundraising will present a challenge in close races. U.S. Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) doing well in California would help on the other side, Spence said.

Stockton's Republican mayor, Ed Chavez, is crossing party lines to endorse the re-election bid of U.S. Rep. Jerry McNerney (D-Pleasanton).

McNerney's campaign announced Chavez's endorsement Thursday, with Chavez saying the congressman has been a consistent presence across the district since he was elected two years ago.

U.S. Rep. Jerry McNerney touted his backing among educators Tuesday, with his campaign releasing a list of 115 educators in McNerney's 11th Congressional District who have endorsed him for re-election.

The list includes superintendents, teachers and school board members, including one who has served on the Lincoln Unified School District Board of Trustees in Stockton with Dean Andal, McNerney's Republican opponent.

The Cook Political Report on Thursday joined with PolitickerCA.com's The Pindell Report in forecasting the race for California's 11th Congressional District as "lean(ing) Democratic."

Previously listing the race as a "toss up" between incumbent freshman Congressman Jerry McNerney (D-Pleasanton) and GOP challenger and former state lawmaker Dean Andal, Cook adjusted its forecast based on difficulties Andal has experienced in fundraising (compared to McNerney) and due to Andal's ongoing alleged connections to the Delta College public bond money scandal.

Here is Cook's reasoning for the adjustment:

WASHINGTON - The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee is out with its first independent expenditure in the 11th Congressional District, where U.S. Rep. Jerry McNerney (D-Pleasanton) is fighting for a second term.

The committee reported spending about $1,400 on mail services in the district, which encompasses the Central Valley area. McNerney is facing off against Republican businessman Dean Andal in what is widely seen as one of the most competitive House races in the country. The Pindell Report currently ranks the race as the 19th most competitive House contest.

McNerney is coming off a 13,000-vote victory over former U.S. Rep. Richard Pombo. The district has historically trended Republican, with George Bush winning 53 percent and 54 percent of the vote in 2000 and 2004, respectively.