McNerney, Livengood headed for November showdown
Though only 5.7 percent of precincts were reporting at 10:40 p.m. Tuesday, incumbent Jerry McNerney and his Republican challenger, Marla Livengood, looked poised to take the two slots for the 9th Congressional District on November’s ballot.
McNerney, a Democrat, led the primary race with 53.5 percent of the vote as of press time.
He was first elected to the House of Representatives in 2006, when he defeated Richard Pombo for the District 11 seat.
After redistricting in 2011, McNerney purchased a home in Stockton so that he could run for the District 9 seat and continue to represent San Joaquin County, along with a newly added portion of Sacramento County.
During his tenure in the House, McNerney wrote bills forming a panel to evaluate how the Veteran’s Administration treats traumatic brain injuries, and ensuring veterans receive their benefits even during a government shutdown.
He’s also emerged as a defender of the California Delta, fighting Gov. Jerry Brown’s California WaterFix project.
“I’ve advocated for and introduced legislation to improve water security, provide relief for struggling homeowners, promote domestic job growth, and support our veterans as well as local law enforcement,” McNerney told the News-Sentinel ahead of the June 5 primary.
Livengood, regulatory affairs manager for the California Strawberry Commission, had earned about 40.7 percent of the early vote. She ran because she felt she could better represent the local area than McNerney.
“Unlike my opponent, I grew up in the Central Valley,” she told the News-Sentinel. “This district’s ‘Valley Values’ are ingrained in me.”
She ran to champion the values of faith, family or hard work, and to fight for working families who are struggling with health care, gas and other rising costs.
On Tuesday evening, she watched the results come in with her husband and children.
“We’re just keeping it low-key tonight,” she said. “I think it’s going to be a long night.”
If she maintains her spot on the November ballot, she plans to keep meeting with voters and sharing her message.
“I plan just to keep doing what I’m doing,” she said.
Mike A. Tsarnas, trailing behind with 5.8 percent of the vote, campaigned as an Independent because he believes the two-party system leaves many Americans behind. A local resident since 2001, he left the Democratic Party after 40 years because of that belief.
Tsarnas wants to reform Congress, including instituting term limits for the Senate and the House and doing away with retirement packages for politicians.
“Political compensation should be based upon attendance and voting records,” he said. “Elected officials should receive no better benefits than what is provided to the public.”
The 9th Congressional District is centered on Stockton, and includes parts of San Joaquin, Sacramento and Contra Costa counties. Lodi, Galt, Oakley, Lathrop and Antioch are all included within the district.