[img_assist|nid=1161|title=Congressional candidate Dean Andal|desc=|link=none|align=left|width=180|height=227]Dean Andal, challenging Democratic U.S. Rep. Jerry McNerney in what is widely seen as one of the most hotly contested House races this fall, has tapped Republican operative John Franklin to serve as his day-to-day campaign manager, PolitickerCA.com has learned.

“John is a tough, experienced campaigner –– familiar with California, and familiar with congressional campaigns. He will be a real asset to the Andal team," said Richard Temple, an Andal consultant.

Franklin is no stranger in Republican circles. A longtime political and legislative aide to U.S. Rep. Darrell Issa, Johnson served as the campaign manager for U.S. Rep. Brian Bilbray in his 2006 special election campaign for the seat of former U.S. Rep. Duke Cunningham. Later in that cycle he managed the campaign of Sharon Angle, a U.S. Congressional candidate from Nevada who narrowly failed in her primary bid against Dean Heller. Franklin is fresh off a tour managing the successful campaign to beat back the recall attempt against state Sen. Jeff Denham.

Franklin said he was ready to steer the effort for Andal, a former state Assemblyman and onetime member of the California Board of Equalization.

“With a long history of public service and solid reputation for personal integrity and fiscal responsibility, Dean Andal is the best choice for Congressional District 11. I’m happy to be part of the team and am looking forward to a successful campaign,” Franklin told PolitickerCA.com.

Franklin’s hiring is likely to soothe the nerves of national and state Republican operatives who had expressed concern over what has been perceived as a lack of infrastructure in Andal’s campaign. Franklin, who was finance director for Iowa U.S. Congressional candidate Mike Whalen in 2006, also brings fundraising experience to a campaign that was widely panned for its take-in of less than $12,000 during the May reporting period.

“This is the time of year when these decisions get made and it’s good to see Dean Andal taking this race seriously,” said one high-level Republican strategist granted anonymity to speak candidly. “There is still a lot more work to be done, particularly on the fundraising side. If Andal is able to show some forward progress, he’ll be able to make this a competitive race.”

The District 11 seat, which spans Stockton and the Central Valley area, is seen as one of the relatively few pickup opportunities for Republicans this cycle. McNerney, a first term congressman, unseated seven-term Republican incumbent Richard Pombo 2006. But the district has traditionally been friendly territory for Republicans, with President Bush winning 54 percent of the vote there in 2004.