Rep. Jerry McNerney, D-Pleasanton

Two leading Republicans in San Joaquin County endorsed this morning Democratic Rep. Jerry McNerney’s re-election bid.

San Joaquin Supervisors Steve Bestolarides and Larry Ruhstaller, both Republicans although the hold nonpartisan offices, cast their lot with McNerney before a single Republican has even declared interest in challenging the Democrat. (Republicans are courting Contra Costa Sheriff Warren Rupf but he has not made a decision.)

In the last election, Ruhstaller supported McNerney’s challenger, Dean Andal, with a $250 donation in 2007.

But the San Joaquin officials, in a prepared release, say their support has nothing to do with politics. They cited McNerney’s successful advocacy efforts related to the Veteran Administration’s recent selection of San Joaquin rather than Stanislaus County as the site of a new treatment facility.

No word on how the San Joaquin Republican Party or the National Republican Campaign Committee will view this pair’s announcement.

But Ruhstaller and Bestolarides, who served on local city councils prior to being elected to county seats, are in their first terms on the Board of Supervisors. This ought to be interesting.

Read on for the press release out of McNerney’s office and the two men’s comments: Read the rest of this entry »

Joan Buchanan

Abram Wilson

If we needed yet another sign that San Joaquin County has officially joined the Bay Area, then this is it: GOP Stockton Mayor Ed Chavez has endorsed Democratic Assembly District 15 candidate Joan Buchanan over Republican nominee and fellow mayor Abram Wilson of San Ramon.

Chavez also recently endorsed Democratic Rep. Jerry McNerney of Pleasanton over Republican challenger and his Stockton neighbor Dean Andal.

Granted, Chavez used to be a Democrat and critics say changed parties in order to win the mayor’s seat. But still, what is going on in the Valley?

Read more for Buchanan’s press release sent this morning: Read the rest of this entry »