Recordnet.com: Pombo: 'I wouldn't have changed a thing'

Pombo: 'I wouldn't have changed a thing'

javascript:NewWindow(870,625,window.document.location+'&Template=photos');

Rep. Richard Pombo, R-Tracy, answers questions from the media about his defeat in Tuesday's election as his wife Annette, right, stands nearby. Pombo lost his seat in the House of Representatives to Jerry McNerney of Pleasanton.Calixtro Romias/The Record

By Hank Shaw

Capitol Bureau Chief

November 09, 2006 6:00 AM

TRACY - It's back to the ranch for Richard Pombo and on to Washington for Jerry McNerney.

Pombo officially conceded defeat to McNerney on Wednesday afternoon, while the Pleasanton Democrat began his congressional career talking clean energy at the Port of Stockton.

Pombo was gracious at his event, wishing McNerney well and urging him to "stick to the things he believes in and fight for them."

Pombo's speech came long after his fate had been sealed by poor showings in the East Bay section of the 11th Congressional District and a wafer-thin win in his home county of San Joaquin.

McNerney's overall margin of victory was 53.2 percent to Pombo's 46.8 percent, larger than anyone had expected.

Strong wins in Morgan Hill and the Alameda and Contra Costa county sections of the district sealed Pombo's defeat. The East Bay represents just under half of the district's voters.

McNerney carried Santa Clara County 61 percent to 39 percent, Alameda County 62 percent to 38 percent and Contra Costa 54 percent to 46 percent. Pombo eked out a win in San Joaquin, 51 percent to 49 percent.

McNerney declared victory at 12:15 a.m. Wednesday, right about the time Pombo left his election night party at The Waterloo Inn without speaking to his supporters. Pombo emerged Wednesday afternoon at his Tracy campaign headquarters, telling reporters he wished McNerney good luck and said was proud of his accomplishments in Congress.

"I wouldn't have changed a thing, not a darned thing," he said. "I would have done things exactly the same way."

Pombo said he has one last chance to get his career-long quest to overhaul the Endangered Species Act though Congress, during the lame-duck session that begins later this month. If that fails, Pombo said he expects Rep. Dennis Cardoza, D-Merced, to pick up where he left off. "It's something that has to get done," he said.

Altering the Endangered Species Act was one of Pombo's controversial positions that brought the nation's environmental movement against him; a constellation of environmental groups spent at least $1.5 million in this election.

And they were only too happy to take some of the credit for McNerney's win.

"Defenders of Wildlife Action Fund got into this race when essentially everyone else thought Pombo was unbeatable," said the group's president, Rodger Schlickeisen. "In the closing weeks of the campaign we kept up the pressure, ... and all our hard work paid off.

"Rep. Richard Pombo's loss represents the most significant electoral victory the environmental movement has seen in decades."

Rep.-elect McNerney spent the day doing interviews and thanking supporters. He wasted no time launching into policy ideas at the Port of Stockton, saying the port needed a better link to Highway 4 to move goods in and out faster. He also said the port is a perfect place to incubate the renewable-energy companies he says could bring thousands of high-paying jobs to San Joaquin.

McNerney says he hopes to serve on the House Energy and Commerce Committee, a plum spot for a freshman. He also said he plans to begin meeting with Farm Bureau officials and Cardoza to get up to speed on what will be a pivotal debate for San Joaquin County next year: the reauthorization of the federal Farm Bill.

Pombo says he'll take some time off once the 109th Congress adjourns in December, then focus more of his energies on the cattle ranch he runs with his brothers.

But for now, "I'm going home," he said.

McNerney will be going to Washington, D.C., this weekend for a freshman orientation session. He will be one of 30 new Democrats entering the House.

Contact Capitol Bureau Chief Hank Shaw at (916) 441-4078 or sacto@recordnet.com.