VETERANS' AFFAIRS COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN 
ENDORSES RICKY GILL

VETERANS' AFFAIRS COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN 
ENDORSES RICKY GILL
Local Veterans Condemn Opponent's Divisive Rhetoric
     
STOCKTON, CA, September 25, 2012 - U.S. Representative Jeff Miller, Chairman of the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs, today announced his endorsement of Congressional candidate Ricky Gill (R-Lodi) in California's 9th District, as local veterans condemned a recent, divisive fundraising pitch from incumbent Jerry McNerney (D-Pleasanton). 

"No one has a monopoly on supporting veterans," Miller said in announcing his endorsement of Gill. "We all must work hard to uphold the sacred promise we have made to those who serve our nation in harm's way. I know Ricky Gill will uphold that promise honorably. That is why I am proud to endorse him for U.S. Congress." 

Miller in 2011 became Chairman of the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs, which is charged with authorizing and overseeing the operations of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). 

"I'm honored to have earned Chairman Miller's endorsement," Gill said. "If elected, I will fight every day for those who have served in our armed forces. I will work to accelerate construction of the planned VA clinic, to expedite the processing of veterans' claims, and to protect our defense and veterans' programs from budget cuts." Both of Gill's grandfathers served with the Allies in World War II. 

In a fundraising solicitation distributed last week, three-term incumbent McNerney sought to capitalize on veterans' issues, stating that he "just can't bear the idea that someone will take my seat who won't care about our veterans the way I do."

Local veterans objected to that language. "I am a proud veteran and a proud supporter of Ricky Gill," said United States Marine Corps veteran Tom Wilson of Stockton. "At this critical moment, we need a representative in Congress who will bring our community together, not divide it." 

"If there's one thing that unifies Americans, it's support for our veterans," said Gill consultant James Fisfis. "McNerney does all veterans a deep disservice when he politicizes their issues with rash statements like this."

"The fact that McNerney referred to the new Ninth District -- where he has never lived -- as 'his seat' shows you where his heart really is," Fisfis continued

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NRCC NAMES RICKY GILL A "YOUNG GUN"     

 
LODI, CA, Aug., 2012

PRIMARY ELECTION RESULTS

In California’s June 5th open primary election, Gill earned 40 percent of the vote to advance to a November runoff
against the incumbent, Jerry McNerney. A total of 52.2 percent of primary voters in the 9th District chose a
Republican candidate, while only 47.8 percent voted for the Democratic incumbent.
“National Republicans consider Gill one of their top hopes for defeating a Democratic incumbent.” – AP

THE 9TH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT

California’s new 9th Congressional District includes most of San Joaquin County, as well as East Contra Costa
County and part of southern Sacramento County. The 9th District:

• is heavily agricultural, with some $2 billion each year in agricultural output. Ricky’s background as a
family farmer gives him a unique advantage over his opponent, a Bay Area wind engineer.
• went to President George W. Bush in 2004, to Republican Attorney General candidate Steve Cooley in 2010,
and for California’s Proposition 8 by a sizeable margin.
• no longer includes the incumbent’s base of liberal Democrats in the Bay Area, due to redistricting.
• includes 43,000 foreign-born voters—more than 15% of all registered voters and 20% of registered voter
households—who will relate strongly to Ricky’s first-generation American story.
• includes 59,000 Latino voters—more than 20% of all registered voters—whom Ricky will be able to reach
due to his fluency in Spanish and his family’s immigrant background.

FUNDRAISING

Ricky has raised more than $1.6 million to date, almost exclusively from individuals. Ricky consistently has
outraised the incumbent, and he currently has more than $1 million cash on hand.
“Gill’s commanding performance makes him a rising star to keep an eye on.” – Politico

“YOUNG GUN” STATUS

In recognition of his campaign’s unique potential, the National Republican Congressional Committee has
elevated Ricky to full “Young Gun” status. He was one of the first 12 candidates nationwide named a Young Gun.

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