Dean Andal of Stockton — the Republican former Assemblyman and Board of Equalization member who’s running against Rep. Jerry McNerney, D-Pleasanton — got some good publicity last night as he introduced Republican presidential candidate John McCain at a Stockton rally, but he has little to celebrate when it comes to fundraising.

The latest Federal Election Commission reports show Andal raised a paltry $11,434 from April 1 through May 14; he spent $39,966.03 during that time, a net loss of more than $28,500. McNerney during the same period raised $148,783.42 and spent $78,910.93, a net gain of almost $69,900. As of May 14, McNerney had $1,228,907.06 cash on hand while Andal had $508,945.58.

Now, Andal might’ve raked in some significant money last night — after introducing McCain at the Stockton rally, Andal was among guests at a McCain fundraiser hosted by billionaire developer Alex Spanos and attended by some of the Central Valley’s richest and most prominent Republicans.

He’s gonna need the money. Running in the 11th Congressional District means buying television ads in both the San Francisco and Sacramento markets, a very expensive proposition. And with the “every man for himself” tone that seems to sounding from GOP leaders inside the Beltway, Andal’s already starting with a branding handicap and might not get as much support as he’d hoped from national party apparatuses.