Berkeley Bubble

The Election Protection Task Force for Jerry McNerney for Congress issued an impressive, comprehensive report outlining 36 specific recommendations for reform of our electoral processes, including recommendations for improving poll worker training, improving transparency in the electronic voting process, and improving verification and security. I personally know this group very well, and they were […]

So it looks like we may not have seen the last of Richard Pombo in CD-11. In today’s article in the Chronicle, a clearly bitter Pombo revealed his frustration by alleging that third party groups tried to suppress Republican voter turnout in San Joaquin county using personal, negative attacks:

Pombo is still digesting the […]

Some pictures from the McNerney Victory Party (thanks, JD!):

Tuesday was an incredible day (and night). I had the opportunity to work on the election protection team in the 11th congressional district, an effort that sought to ensure that the new electronic voting machines were being operated properly, that there were sufficient paper ballots, […]

Richard Pombo officially conceded victory to Congressman-elect Jerry McNerney yesterday, and while he was gracious, he also suggested that he STILL wants to eviscerate the Endangered Species Act before he’s done:
Pombo emerged Wednesday afternoon at his Tracy campaign headquarters, telling reporters he wished McNerney good luck and said was proud of his accomplishments in Congress.
“I […]

This gem from the Stockton Record:

Rep. Richard Pombo met his electoral end at The Waterloo on Tuesday night to a little-known wind energy consultant from Pleasanton….
Pombo left The Waterloo Inn, where he had gathered to watch election results, just before midnight, not yet conceding defeat.
Why a candidate would have a post-election returns party at a […]

This race is over–with 95 percent of precincts in, McNerney leads 53 to 47 percent, a margin of more than 8,000 votes. Congratulations, Jerry McNerney, and to all of you who worked so hard to make this happen.
Good night!

Okay, so now there’s 79 percent of the precincts in in the 11th Congressional District of California, and Jerry McNerney is now widening his lead over Richard Pombo–here are the numbers:

79% of Precincts
McNerney 65,957 53%
Pombo 59,397 47%
Excellent! I never thought I’d see a six point percentage margin and […]

(Cross-posted at DailyKos.)
According to the Mercury News, the McNerney campaign on Friday filed a complaint with the Federal Election Commission on Friday alleging that both the Pombo campaign and Pombo’s own “leadership PAC” RICHPAC violated federal election laws by using the RICHPAC to pay for fundraising work for the Pombo for Congress campaign.
Here’s more […]

Clinton came out and delivered a rousing 40 minute speech in support of Jerry McNerney at a GOTV rally at Stockton Airport which included other Democratic luminaries, including Garamendi and Debra Bowen. Despite the drizzling rain, a huge crowd gathered for the rally. I know many who attended the rally, and they reflected on […]

As this story notes, Democrats are bringing in some famous celebrities on Saturday in CA-11 to counter the Laura Bush visit for Republicans–the big names are Ben Affleck (Good Will Hunting, The Sum of All Fears, and Armageddon) and his wife Jennifer Garner (of Alias fame). Affleck and Garner will appear […]