Analyst Stuart Rothenberg just released his latest rankings of House races. A total of 15 are considered "pure toss ups," including California's own District 11, held by incumbent McNerney. This makes McNerney among the weakest incumbents in Congress.
And with good reason. McNerney is the only Democrat in California currently representing a Republican Congressional district, having won the seat less than two years ago after leftist groups waged a relentless four year campaign against former Republican Congressman Richard Pombo, who drew the ire of the far left for his strong stance in favor of protecting private property rights.
Enter Dean Andal, the rock solid Republican challenging McNerney. Dean is no stranger to politics, having personally contributed enormously to building the Republican Party in the Central Valley over the course of many years as a member of the Assembly and later the state Board of Equalization. He is sharp, tenacious, and extremely capable.
Normally, the Democrat leadership in the House would see how vulnerable McNerney is and give him a "pass" to break with the party leadership on some token votes so he can claim to be "independent." Yet, on one vote after another, McNerney proves he has far more in common with Nancy Pelosi than his own constituents.
Dean Andal for Congressman 11th District
Dean Andal offers deep roots in California’s 11th Congressional District and a long history of public service, where he has built a rock-solid reputation for personal integrity and fiscal responsibility.
He served in the California State Assembly and on the California Board of Equalization, where his efforts to increase efficiency and improve service saved taxpayers over $40 million. “Through it all,” wrote Eric Miethke in the Cal-Tax Digest, “Dean Andal maintained the qualities that those who have known him since childhood often cite: honesty, integrity, honor, love of family, and good humor.”
He co-chaired the tax policy group for Governor Schwarzenegger’s transition team, and served as a trustee for the San Joaquin County Board of Education and the Lincoln Unified School District. He also served on the San Joaquin County Child Abuse Prevention Council, and was a member of the Employer Support Council for the U.S. National Guard.
An Eagle Scout and former volunteer Scoutmaster, Dean earned high honors for ethics from the California Journal when he served in the State Assembly, where he championed open government, public safety and fiscal accountability. He never voted to raise taxes or increase his legislative salary. He opposed school funding cuts and routinely returned up to 30% of his office operating budget to the state, earning “Legislator of the Year” from California’s leading tax reform groups.
Dean and his wife, Kari, have been married 20 years and live in Stockton with their teenage son, Patrick. Dean graduated from the University of California, San Diego.
History of Leadership
- California Board of Equalization and Franchise Tax Board (1994-2002)
- California State Assembly (1991-94)
- Co-Chair, Tax Policy Group, Governor Schwarzenegger Transition Team (2003)
- Board of Trustees, San Joaquin County Board of Education (1990)
- Board of Trustees, Lincoln Unified School District (2004-present)
- President, Greater Yosemite Council, Boy Scouts of America (2006-2007)
- Member, San Joaquin County Child Abuse Prevention Council(1985-1986)
- President, Lincoln Youth Basketball League (1999)
- Member, Employer Support Council, United States National Guard (1987-1990)
- Member, U.S. Advisory Commission on Electronic Commerce (1998-2000)