Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility
McNerney Will Retire. What Does That Mean for Janz, Gray, Harder?
David Website Replacement
By David Taub, Senior Reporter
Published 3 years ago on
January 18, 2022

Share

 

Jerry McNerney, the eight-term Democratic congressman representing the Stockton area, will not seek another term, he announced on his Facebook site Monday morning.

“I am very proud of the many accomplishments that my staff and I have achieved in Congress, including the creation of a major veteran’s health center facility in San Joaquin County, providing outstanding help for constituents with federal agencies, and securing major investments in infrastructure and public safety, broadband, education, childcare, and health care access. I have always fought tirelessly for those in need, and I will continue to do so,” McNerney, 70, wrote.

The move is likely to set off a tidal wave of ripple effects. Josh Harder, the two-term Democratic congressman from Turlock, previously announced he would run for re-election in Congressional District 13. He will now run in the Stockton-centered CD 9, his campaign confirmed to GV Wire.

“It has been an honor to have Representative Jerry McNerney as a mentor and a friend,” Harder said in a news release. “Today, I’m humbled to share I will be running for reelection in CA-9 which encompasses parts of mine and Jerry’s districts. More than 150 years ago, my great-great-grandpa joined a wagon train to California and settled in Manteca to start a peach farm and raise his family. With Pam and my first child on the way, I’m excited to grow my own family and continue my public service in the same community he settled in all those years ago.”

The new district, the product of redistricting based on U.S. Census figures, is south of the current CD 10 that he represents and CD 13 — which included parts of Merced, Madera, Fresno, and two other counties.

Janz, Gray Emerge for CD 13

“More than 150 years ago, my great-great-grandpa joined a wagon train to California and settled in Manteca to start a peach farm and raise his family. With Pam and my first child on the way, I’m excited to grow my own family and continue my public service in the same community he settled in all those years ago.”Congressman Josh Harder

Two Democratic names have emerged to run in CD 13 — Assemblyman Adam Gray, D-Merced, and Fresno County prosecutor Andrew Janz, D-Fresno.

Gray is a five-term Assemblyman with two years of eligibility remaining. Hours after McNerney and Harder’s announcement, he announced he is running for CD 13.

“For nearly a decade, I have had the distinct privilege of representing my hometown and the communities I love in the State Assembly. Together we fought to protect our water from the State Water Grab, increase access to health care for our underserved communities, and improve our quality of life by reducing crime and creating jobs. Those fights were not always easy, but I am proud to say that we won a lot more often than we lost. Now I am asking for the opportunity to bring that fight to Washington,” Gray said in an email statement.

People familiar with Janz’s thinking say he is also considering a run if Harder does move on. Janz ran for Congress against Devin Nunes in 2018 and for Fresno mayor against Jerry Dyer in 2020. He did not win either election but established himself as a capable fundraiser.

Running against Nunes, R-Tulare, in CD 22 — based at the time in Fresno, Clovis, and Visalia — Janz raised $9.2 million, the most ever by a Nunes’ opponent. Nunes won by five points, the lowest margin of victory in his 10 successful election wins.

A Super PAC that Janz founded, VPP (or Voter Protection Project) raised $8.9 million in the 2020 election cycle and a shade under $1 million thus far in the 2022 cycle. It mainly funds Democratic candidates running for Congress. In 2020, it contributed $10,000 to TJ Cox, D-Fresno, who was unsuccessful in his re-election bid.

Two other names have already officially filed paperwork to run for CD 13. David Giglio, R-Madera County, and Angelina Sigala-Rosario, D-Modesto.

Assembly District Open

Gray’s announcement means that the assembly seat he could run in is open. The new Assembly District 27 covers parts of Merced, Madera and Fresno counties, including parts of northwest Fresno.

Speculation has already started about whether Fresno City Councilwoman Esmeralda Soria would run. She is termed-out of her council seat. She has been linked to running for Senate District 16, which would require her to move and resign early.

If Soria runs for AD 27, she would have to move, but there is an overlap between AD 27 and her current city District 1 seat. That would allow her to stay in office.

[Correction, 1/18/2022,10:20 a.m.: Jerry McNerney is a eight-term congressman, first elected in 2006. This story has since been updated. This story has been updated at 11:15 a.m. to reflect Gray’s announcement.]

DON'T MISS

What Are Fresno Real Estate Experts Predicting for 2025 and Beyond?

DON'T MISS

First California EV Mandates Hit Automakers This Year. Most Are Not Even Close

DON'T MISS

Trump Signs Executive Order to Encourage US Drug Manufacturing

DON'T MISS

Dollar Slides Against Peers Weighed Down by Fresh Tariff Worries

DON'T MISS

Rivian to Build $120 Million Supplier Park in Illinois

DON'T MISS

Trump Signs Order Restricting Research That Enhances Pathogens

DON'T MISS

US Appeals Court Rejects Trump Bid to Revoke 400,000 Migrants’ Legal Status

DON'T MISS

Trump Orders the Reopening of Alcatraz Prison

DON'T MISS

Will CA Law Change to Allow Councilmembers to Govern While on Military Duty?

DON'T MISS

Former Proud Boys Leader Enrique Tarrio Says He Met With Trump in Florida

DON'T MISS

Trump Is About to Steal My Friend’s Christmas … and Yours

DON'T MISS

At Least Three Drowned After Small Boat Overturns Near San Diego

UP NEXT

Dollar Slides Against Peers Weighed Down by Fresh Tariff Worries

UP NEXT

Rivian to Build $120 Million Supplier Park in Illinois

UP NEXT

Trump Signs Order Restricting Research That Enhances Pathogens

UP NEXT

US Appeals Court Rejects Trump Bid to Revoke 400,000 Migrants’ Legal Status

UP NEXT

Trump Orders the Reopening of Alcatraz Prison

UP NEXT

Will CA Law Change to Allow Councilmembers to Govern While on Military Duty?

UP NEXT

Former Proud Boys Leader Enrique Tarrio Says He Met With Trump in Florida

UP NEXT

Trump Is About to Steal My Friend’s Christmas … and Yours

UP NEXT

At Least Three Drowned After Small Boat Overturns Near San Diego

UP NEXT

LA Fire Survivors Accuse State Farm of Delaying Claims. Should It Get OK for a Rate Hike?

David Taub,
Senior Reporter
Curiosity drives David Taub. The award-winning journalist might be shy, but feels mighty with a recorder in his hand. He doesn't see it his job to "hold public officials accountable," but does see it to provide readers (and voters) the information needed to make intelligent choices. Taub has been honored with several writing awards from the California News Publishers Association. He's just happy to have his stories read. Joining GV Wire in 2016, Taub covers politics, government and elections, mainly in the Fresno/Clovis area. He also writes columns about local eateries (Appetite for Fresno), pro wrestling (Off the Bottom Rope), and media (Media Man). Prior to joining the online news source, Taub worked as a radio producer for KMJ and PowerTalk 96.7 in Fresno. He also worked as an assignment editor for KCOY-TV in Santa Maria, California, and KSEE-TV in Fresno. He has also worked behind the scenes for several sports broadcasts, including the NCAA basketball tournament, and the Super Bowl. When not spending time with his family, Taub loves to officially score Fresno Grizzlies games. Growing up in the San Francisco Bay Area, Taub is a die-hard Giants and 49ers fan. He graduated from the University of Michigan with dual degrees in communications and political science. Go Blue! You can contact David at 559-492-4037 or at Send an Email

Trump Signs Order Restricting Research That Enhances Pathogens

17 minutes ago

US Appeals Court Rejects Trump Bid to Revoke 400,000 Migrants’ Legal Status

23 minutes ago

Trump Orders the Reopening of Alcatraz Prison

2 hours ago

Will CA Law Change to Allow Councilmembers to Govern While on Military Duty?

2 hours ago

Former Proud Boys Leader Enrique Tarrio Says He Met With Trump in Florida

2 hours ago

Trump Is About to Steal My Friend’s Christmas … and Yours

2 hours ago

At Least Three Drowned After Small Boat Overturns Near San Diego

3 hours ago

LA Fire Survivors Accuse State Farm of Delaying Claims. Should It Get OK for a Rate Hike?

3 hours ago

Six Deadly Minutes: How Israeli Soldiers Killed 15 Rescue Workers in Gaza

4 hours ago

Millions on the Street Virtually Overnight: How Trump’s Budget Proposal Could Affect CA

4 hours ago

Trump Signs Executive Order to Encourage US Drug Manufacturing

(Reuters) – President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Monday that aims to reduce the time it takes to approve pharmaceutical...

1 minute ago

Signage is seen outside of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) headquarters in White Oak, Maryland, U.S., August 29, 2020. (REUTERS/Andrew Kelly/File Photo)
1 minute ago

Trump Signs Executive Order to Encourage US Drug Manufacturing

U.S. dollar banknotes are seen in this illustration taken May 4, 2025. (REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration)
8 minutes ago

Dollar Slides Against Peers Weighed Down by Fresh Tariff Worries

The Rivian logo is shown on one of their new electric SUV vehicles in San Diego, U.S., December 16, 2022. (REUTERS/Mike Blake/File Photo)
11 minutes ago

Rivian to Build $120 Million Supplier Park in Illinois

President Donald Trump announces the NFL draft will be held in Washington, at the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., May 5, 2025. (REUTERS/Leah Millis)
17 minutes ago

Trump Signs Order Restricting Research That Enhances Pathogens

Asylum seeking migrants, mostly from Venezuela and Cuba, wait to be transported by U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents after crossing the Rio Grande river into the U.S. from Mexico at Eagle Pass, Texas, U.S., July 14, 2022. (REUTERS/Go Nakamura/File Photo)
23 minutes ago

US Appeals Court Rejects Trump Bid to Revoke 400,000 Migrants’ Legal Status

2 hours ago

Trump Orders the Reopening of Alcatraz Prison

2 hours ago

Will CA Law Change to Allow Councilmembers to Govern While on Military Duty?

Former Proud Boys leader Enrique Tarrio attends a news conference outside the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Feb. 21, 2025. (AP File)
2 hours ago

Former Proud Boys Leader Enrique Tarrio Says He Met With Trump in Florida

Help continue the work that gets you the news that matters most.

Search

Send this to a friend