Biography

Jerry McNerney is a Democratic politician currently serving as a member of the California State Senate, representing the 5th District, which includes all of San Joaquin County and the Tri-Valley area of Alameda County. He was elected to the State Senate in November 2024, following a 16-year tenure in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Born on June 18, 1951, in Albuquerque, New Mexico, McNerney earned bachelor's and master's degrees and a Ph.D. in mathematics from the University of New Mexico. Before entering politics, he spent over 20 years in the energy and clean energy sectors, contributing to the development of wind technologies and wind turbines.

In the State Senate, McNerney serves as chair of the Revenue and Taxation Committee and is a member of several other committees, including Energy, Utilities and Communications, Budget and Fiscal Review, Agriculture, Military and Veterans Affairs, and the Joint Committee on Fairs Allocation and Classification.

Education and Political Experience

• Education:

  • Bachelor's and Master's degrees in Mathematics from the University of New Mexico
  • Ph.D. in Mathematics from the University of New Mexico

• Political Experience:

  • Member of the U.S. House of Representatives, California's 11th District and 9th District
  • Chair of the Artificial Intelligence Caucus, Congressional Grid Innovation Caucus, and WiFi Caucus
  • Author of the AI in Government Act
  • Member of the California State Senate, 5th District
  • Chair of the Revenue and Taxation Committee in the California State Senate