SAN FRANCISCO (KCBS) -- Richard Pombo's seven-term reign as a Central Valley congressman is over. Little known wind energy consultant Jerry McNerney beat Pombo 53 to 47 percent in a stunning upset.
The victory comes just two years after McNerney lost the 11th Congressional District race by 20 percentage points.
"I knew that we were going to be able to do this. I knew from the beginning and it was just a matter of doing our work," McNerney told KCBS’ Mark Seelig.
Pombo had never lost a race until last night. He left his election night party before final results were in, but sounded like a candidate who knew he was headed for defeat.
"We knew it was up to the voters. They tried to make it a national campaign and when it came right down to it, it was a local election," Pombo said.
Pombo is being hailed as California’s most prominent political victim of the Democratic tidal wave that has washed away Republican control of the House for the first time in a dozen years. Some analysts said Pombo was hurt because of his acceptance of campaign contributions from convicted lobbyist Jack Abramoff.
McNerney was given a financial boost this time around by national environmental groups. He has vowed to fight corruption on Capitol Hill, work on health care and energy issues, and will urge the President to bring troops home from Iraq.
(RdD)
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