Hernandez might throw in his chips even as the
Democratic campaigning committee has already chosen another candidate.
Hernandez said he couldn't make the commitment
within the committee's timeline because his decision hinges on whether he can
afford to take a year off work to concentrate on campaigning.
The electrical engineer and aerospace consultant is
hoping his consulting contracts can accumulate enough resources by fall before
taking the leap.
"If I was independently wealthy, I would have
announced the day after the (2012) election that I would run for 2014,"
Hernandez said. "I have five kids, one in college. I have to make sure my
family is well taken care of, that I'm able to give my kids a good college
education, that I'm able to put food on the table and pay the mortgage.
"One thing is for certain: I'm here to stay in
the Valley," said Hernandez, who moved to Manteca from Houston to run for
office after completing an outer space mission for NASA. "I quit my job as
an aerospace executive and decided to dedicate 14 months without pay to run for
the 10th Congressional District. Although we came very close, we just couldn't
win the election."
