McNerney Continues Strong Record of Standing up for Woman’s Rights

Stockton, Calif. – Tomorrow, Congressman Jerry McNerney (D-Stockton) will hold a women-to-women phone bank.  He welcomes the endorsement of multiple women leaders in the community and across the state.  During the phone bank, female voters will reach out to fellow women, looking to connect through common bonds and support Jerry McNerney.

“Congressman McNerney has a strong record of standing up for women’s rights – from reproductive rights to equal pay to the right to choose – and that is a message female voters need to hear in Contra Costa and San Joaquin Counties.  We know that female voters will be happy to hear from other women who support Jerry’s work to ensure they have a voice in Congress who will keep fighting for them,” said Lauren Smith, spokeswoman for McNerney for Congress.

The following leaders have endorsed Congressman McNerney and voiced their approval of his record on women’s issues:

“I have worked for 20 years with the women in our community who have been the victims of domestic violence, sexual assault and rape.  Since being in office, Jerry McNerney has been committed to supporting women’s issues, bringing back federal resources for our women’s center.  There is no greater advocate for the women of this community than Congressman McNerney.” – Joelle Gomez

“Congressman McNerney has shown us over the last six years that he is a true advocate for the women of San Joaquin County.  He has brought back money for our women’s shelter and voted for the Lily Ledbetter Fair Pay Act to make sure that women earn the same as men in this country.  As a woman, I know we need to send him back to Congress to continue to stand up for us.” – Sara Cazares, President, Stockton Unified School District School Board

“Jerry McNerney is a true champion for women’s rights.  He has fought to protect women’s reproductive rights, our right to equal educational opportunities and for equal pay for women.  Women in the Valley know that Jerry McNerney stands up for them, and will oppose any agenda that would set women’s rights back 30 years.” – Gracie Madrid, Community Activist and Retired Stockton Unified School District Educator.

“I have supported Jerry McNerney since day one. He has always stood up for women in our community, including the Latina community. He has always fought for women’s rights and for those who are under-represented in our community.” – Carmen Fernandez, Community Activist

“I am proud to say that I have been both friends and supporters of Jerry and Mary McNerney for years.  As a husband and father, and a long-standing member of our community, I have seen the lengths he will go to in order to protect women’s rights – the right to choose, to have access to quality health care, and to finally secure equal pay for women.” – Niki Smith, Latina Democratic Club of San Joaquin County

“When Republicans let the Violence Against Women Act expire this year, rolling back long standing protections, Jerry was on our side fighting to protect women.  We knew we could count on Jerry to fight for us, and that is why we need to send him back to Congress.” – Rep. Zoe Lofgren (D-San Jose)

“Congressman Jerry McNerney gets it!  I have worked with him in Congress for years, and seen firsthand that he is a strong supporter of women’s rights.  Jerry is a true champion of a woman’s right to choose, for women’s access to health care and reproductive services, and for equal pay for women.  He doesn’t flinch when it comes to making decisions about women’s health.  It is an honor to serve with him, and I look forward to what we will do on behalf of women and families in the future.”  — Rep. Jackie Speier (D-San Mateo)

“As we saw the Republican majority try to dial back the clock on women’s rights earlier this year, attempting to restrict our access to birth control and health care, it is more important than ever that we have advocates like Congressman McNerney standing up for us in Washington.  He has been one of the strongest supporters of women’s rights in Congress, and we need to send him back to keep fighting for us.” – Cathleen Galgiani, State Assemblymember

“Jerry has done real work to ensure women are paid fairly and equally for their labor, and I know he is as committed to that principle as he is to protecting the rights of women to make their own choices about their own bodies.” – Susan Eggman, City Council Member, City of Stockton, and Candidate for State Assembly

“I just earned my Ph.D. and am embarking on a promising career in neurobiology.  Do you know where I got the self-confidence and determination to do that?  From my dad. He has spent countless hours talking with me about math, science, and philosophy. He taught me from day one that I could do anything I set out to – that I would never be limited by my gender, and I attribute a large part of my success to his encouragement.  I support him not just because he’s my dad, but because he will fight tooth and nail to stand up for all women’s rights.” – Dr. Windy McNerney

CONGRESSMAN MCNERNEY’S RECORD OF STANDING UP FOR WOMEN

• Delivered $280,000 for the Women’s Center of San Joaquin County, providing 30,000 individuals with comprehensive victims’ services each year
• Planned Parenthood – 100% approval rating
• National Organization of Women (NOW) – 100% approval rating
• Supported the Lily Ledbetter Fair Pay Act
• National Association for the Repeal of Abortion Laws (NARAL) – 100% approval rating
• Cosponsored the International Violence Against Women Act
• Cosponsored the Women Veterans Health Care Improvement Act to increase care and services for women veterans
• Voted for Affordable Care Act, ensuring that women have certain free preventative care services and eliminating higher premiums based on gender
• Cosponsored the Sexual Assault Training and Prevention Act to improve the reporting and oversight of sexual assaults
• Cosponsored the International Women’s Freedom Act of 2011 to address women’s rights violations around the world
• Cosponsored the Eliminating Disparities in Breast Cancer Treatment Act
• Voted to protect abortion coverage in state health insurance exchanges
• Voted to protect emergency abortion care for women at hospitals

Just this month, Congressman Jerry McNerney earned the endorsement of the Stockton Record.  The announcement is unequivocal, stating that it “isn’t even a close call” and that “Incumbent Jerry McNerney is the clear choice.”  The Record noted that “during his tenure in Congress, McNerney [has grown in]to a congressman with a deep… knowledge of the issues.”  The endorsement stated that there is “no doubt about McNerney… that [the] seasoned congressman has immersed himself in S.J. County.”

Congressman McNerney is also endorsed by the San Francisco Chronicle.  The endorsement notes that McNerney is “a plainspoken, centrist, consensus-seeking Democrat with a focus on constituent services,” and that “McNerney has shown a commitment to immerse himself in the district and its issues.” 

During this year’s primary election, McNerney received the endorsement of the Contra Costa Times over Ricky Gill.  The papernoted that Congressman McNerney “focuses on policy issues and…has proved to be a centrist who thoughtfully discusses the nuances of the country’s complex problems.”

This adds to a growing list of local public figures and elected officials who have endorsed Congressman Jerry McNerney:

–          Susan Eggman, City Council Member, City of Stockton, and Candidate for State Assembly

–          Mark DeSaulnier, State Senator, District 7

–          Susan Bonilla, Assemblymember, 11^th District

–          Ann Johnston, Mayor, City of Stockton

–          Cathleen Galgiani, Assemblymember, 17^th District

–          Federal Glover, Supervisor, Contra Costa County

–          George Neely, Board Member, Lodi Unified School District

–          Jim Frazier, former Mayor and Council Member, City of Oakley

–          Stephen Griffen, Vice-Chair, Port of Stockton

–          Shabbir Khan, Treasurer-Tax Collector of San Joaquin County

–          Dave Sorgent, Trustee, San Joaquin County Board of Education

–          Roger Brautigan, Ret. General, Former Secretary, California Department of Veterans Affairs

–          Tino Adame, Vietnam Combat Veteran and Stockton Resident

–          Richard Pittman, Medal of Honor Recipient, Vietnam Veteran

–          Dave Norris, Past State Commander, California Veterans of Foreign Wars

–          Ralph Womack, Trustee, Lodi Unified School District

–          Republican Paul Cashion, Vietnam Veteran

–          Barbara Barrigan-Panilla, Delta Advocate

–          Bill Jennings, Delta Advocate

–          Larry Ruhstaller, Republican Supervisor, San Joaquin County

–          Melvin Panizza, Stockton East Water District, Director

–          Dave Macedo, President, Stockton Professional Firefighters IAFF Local 456

–          Mick Founts, Superintendent of Schools, San Joaquin County of Education

–          Tom Torlakson, California State Superintendent of Public Instruction

The new 9^th district is significantly Democratic, with a voter registration that is Democratic+11.5%.  The new 9^th includes the majority of San Joaquin County and portions of Contra Costa and Sacramento Counties.  The district voted decidedly in favor of President Obama in 2008.

Congressman Jerry McNerney (D-Stockton) was first inspired to run for office by his son, Michael, who volunteered for the armed services after 9/11.  He has served the area for nearly six years, getting to know the people and issues of the region. He is the Ranking Member of the Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs Subcommittee of the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, a post he has used to champion veterans’ issues, bringing back a brand new veterans’ medical facility that is creating 900 local jobs.  He authored the bill to help veterans suffering from traumatic brain injuries and has fought tirelessly to create local jobs, prevent American jobs from being sent overseas, and to restore fiscal responsibility to our government while protecting Medicare and Social Security.