Dems See Pombo Race as an “Emerging Opportunity”

Get your news from a source that’s not owned and controlled by oligarchs. Sign up for the free Mother Jones Daily.


Jerry McNerney, democratic challenger to Richard Pombo (R-Ca) may finally be getting some much-needed support from the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee. The DCCC has just placed Pombo’s 11th district seat and John Doolittle’s (R-Ca) 4th district house seats on a list of “emerging opportunities” for GOP defeats come Election Day.

Previously, the DCCC had chosen not to focus on ousting Pombo after their chosen candidate, Steve Filson, lost the Democratic primary. Now, even with help from the DCCC, McNerney has a long way to go, cash-wise. So far, Pombo has raised 3.4 million in campaign funds, McNerney 1.16 million (check out the full breakdown here)

So far the National Republican Congressional Committee has spent $545,000 to oppose McNerney and $46,000 to support Pombo, while the DCCC has spent only $5,600 to counter Pombo.

Doolittle’s campaign spokesman Richard Robinson says this amounts to “a lot of posturing” but given Pombo and Doolittle’s recent links to Jack Abramoff there’s no telling what will happen.

–Amaya Rivera

3 DAYS LEFT—AND EVERYTHING RIDING ON IT

A full one-third of our annual fundraising comes in this month alone. That’s risky, because a strong December means our newsroom is on the beat and reporting at full strength—but a weak one means budget cuts and hard choices ahead.

With just 3 days left, we need a huge surge in reader support to get to our $400,000 year-end goal. Whether you've given before or this is your first time, your contribution right now matters. All gifts are 3X matched and tax-deductible.

Managing an independent, nonprofit newsroom is staggeringly hard. There’s no cushion in our budget—no backup revenue, no corporate safety net. We can’t afford to fall short, and we can’t rely on corporations or deep-pocketed interests to fund the fierce, investigative journalism Mother Jones exists to do. That’s why we need you right now. Please chip in to help close the gap.

3 DAYS LEFT—AND EVERYTHING RIDING ON IT

A full one-third of our annual fundraising comes in this month alone. That’s risky, because a strong December means our newsroom is on the beat and reporting at full strength—but a weak one means budget cuts and hard choices ahead.

With just 3 days left, we need a huge surge in reader support to get to our $400,000 year-end goal. Whether you've given before or this is your first time, your contribution right now matters. All gifts are 3X matched and tax-deductible.

Managing an independent, nonprofit newsroom is staggeringly hard. There’s no cushion in our budget—no backup revenue, no corporate safety net. We can’t afford to fall short, and we can’t rely on corporations or deep-pocketed interests to fund the fierce, investigative journalism Mother Jones exists to do. That’s why we need you right now. Please chip in to help close the gap.

We Recommend

Latest

Sign up for our free newsletter

Subscribe to the Mother Jones Daily to have our top stories delivered directly to your inbox.

Get our award-winning magazine

Save big on a full year of investigations, ideas, and insights.

Subscribe

Support our journalism

Help Mother Jones' reporters dig deep with a tax-deductible donation.

Donate