A Strong First Quarter

The McNerney for Congress campaign just issued a press release, with two bits of great news, excerpted here:

The campaign raised over $50,000 in the period ending March 31, an increase of more than 25% over the final quarter of 2005, when McNerney raised $41,000. McNerney's fundraising numbers demonstrate the campaign's continued momentum and growing support within the 11th Congressional District in California.

"As we move towards the June primary I am excited that our campaign continues to grow. The dollars demonstrate our increasing financial power, but what I am most excited about is our growing people power," said Jerry McNerney. "We are building a strong grassroots network that will put an end to Pombo Politics in November."

The second bit of news:

The McNerney for Congress campaign also demonstrated its widespread support within the California Democratic Party on Saturday, nearly surpassing the 70% threshold to obtain the California State Democratic Party nomination at the pre-primary convention. Of the 39 votes cast by 11th Congressional District delegates to the State Central Committee, McNerney received 27 votes, nearly tripling the tally of his nearest competitor while finishing one vote shy of the 28 needed to secure a spot on the consent calendar for endorsement at the California Democratic Party convention April 28-30 in Sacramento.

There's a great analysis of what this means for the McNerney Campaign at the Say No to Pombo blog.