11th District update

Dean Andal is running to defeat Rep. Jerry McNerney, D-Pleasanton, in the 11th Congressional District race. But one of his platform planks might be a little loose.

As every challenger does, Andal is running partly on a "reform" platform, especially the reform of earmarks, those federal dollars hated by all taxpayers — unless, of course, those federal dollars are going to your district. (Ask Alaska Sen. Ted Stevens and his beneficiaries if you have any questions.)

But Andal, in his role as consultant for developer Gerry Kamilos, has been touched by the Delta College south-county campus fiasco that wasted millions of local taxpayer dollars.

Of course, Andal wasn't responsible for the board's mismanagement, and neither was Kamilos. But it might be telling that Andal, wearing the hat of a businessman instead of the hat of a public servant, put his allegiance to his employer before the public's investment.

That's par for the course in the business world, but it's troubling in this case because Andal has before served in the California Assembly and prides himself on saving taxpayers money.

What does this mean for the 11th District race? Maybe that Andal needs to prove that, if elected, he would be loyal to his new employers — the people of the 11th District.