Sly: Midterm congressional races shaping up in valley districts

By Judy Sly

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The next congressional elections aren't until 2010, but challengers already have emerged in two of the three districts in our region.

Les Marsden, 52, a retired actor who now lives in Mariposa where he serves on the county planning commission and leads the symphony, is preparing to challenge George Radanovich, R-Mariposa, in the 19th District.

Because the district is so heavily Republican and because incumbents always have such an edge -- we may get angry with Congress, but we still like our individual representative -- Marsden will have a tough go. He's a Fresno native and graduate of high school there, but not known to voters up here, except maybe those who recognize him for his Marx Brothers recreations.

While there's wide frustration with Radanovich, I'm skeptical whether this will develop into a competitive race.

To the north, however, Rep. Jerry McNerney, D-Pleasanton, has a target on his back. Republicans want to reclaim the 11th District seat, which McNerney won in 2006 in a startling upset of Richard Pombo of Tracy.

Brad Goehring, 44, a winegrape grower from Clements, announced last week he'll challenge McNerney.

"I want to go to Washington and stop the bailouts and attacks on free enterprise and hard working taxpayers," Goehring said in a written statement that suggests the economy will be a primary campaign issue.

Although McNerney won a solid victory over Dean Andal last year and is collecting endorsements from local government leaders, he'll have a tough fight. Andal carried a lot of baggage, while Goehring will have the advantage of being a fresh face. Given current attitudes toward government at all levels, being an incumbent could be a serious liability by next spring.

Speaking of McNerney, he again made public a complete list of his transportation funding requests -- earmarks. Most representatives only release what they manage to win; his openness is commendable. The list is available at http://is.gd/1mH7t.

In January I wrote about Radanovich's telephone town hall meetings, which he's done for several years as an inexpensive way to communicate with hundreds of constituents at once. Rep. Dennis Cardoza, D-Merced, did his first telephone town hall last month and liked the results, so much so that he plans more. So if you get a recorded message that says "stay on the line for a conversation with your congressman," I'd urge you to not to hang up.

Dave Cogdill, R-Modesto, lost his post as Senate minority leader earlier this year, but another local legislator has gotten a leadership role. Tom Berryhill, R-Modesto, was chosen as one of four Republican whips in the Assembly. Berryhill said he doesn't expect to have to do much strong- arming, but he appreciates the fact that he's in on leadership meetings. We agree. Berryhill has demonstrated that he's willing to work with his colleagues of all stripes -- and that he "gets" our valley concerns.

A common refrain in letters to the editor is why legislators aren't sharing in the economic pain. The answer: They are, albeit belatedly.

Both Cogdill and Jeff Denham, R-Atwater, agreed to pay cuts to do their part in the budget crisis. Denham had declined a 2.75 percent pay raise in December 2007, then asked that his salary be set at $110,397, which is the same as taking a 5 percent pay cut from the $116,209 most senators get paid. Cogdill agreed to the 5 percent cut.

Further cutbacks are coming. Last week, the Citizens Compensation Commission cut benefits for legislators and elected state officials by 18 percent, effective Dec. 1. That will reduce their per diem from $173 to $142 a day, as well as reducing their monthly car allowances and the state contribution to their health plans. Previously, the commission reduced lawmakers' salaries by 18 percent, $95,291, but that isn't effective until Dec. 1, 2010.

Sly is editor of the Opinions pages. Contact her at jsly@modbee.com or 578-2317.