Early life and education

Garamendi was raised in Mokelumne Hill, California, the son of Mary Jane (née McSorley) and Raymond V. Garamendi. His paternal grandparents were Basque immigrants from Spain and his mother was of half Irish and half Italian ancestry. Garamendi received a B.A. in business from the University of California, Berkeley, where he was both a football player and wrestler, and a Master of Business Administration degree from Harvard Business School. He served in the Peace Corps in Ethiopia from 1966 to 1968. Garamendi is an Eagle Scout. Garamendi is also a member of Sigma Chi, as a brother of the Alpha Beta Chapter at Berkeley.

California legislature (1977-1991)

State Assembly

In 1974, Garamendi decided to run for California's 7th State Assembly district. Six-term Republican incumbent William T. Bagley did not run for re-election, instead running for California State Controller and losing in the general election to Democratic State Assemblyman Kenneth Cory. In the election to succeed Bagley, Garamendi faced Republican State Assemblyman Douglas F. Carter. Carter had won a special election in the 12th Assembly district in July 1973 to succeed Repyblican Robert T. Monagan, who had resigned to become United States Assistant Secretary of Transportation. In the general election, Garamendi defeated Carter in a landslide, by 60,380 votes (64.08%) to 33,842 (35.92%) as the Democrats won a supermajority in the California State Assembly for the first time since the 1800s.

State Senate

In 1976, he decided to retire after one term to run in California's 13th State Senate district. He defeated Republican Bob Whitten 53%-47%. He won re-election in 1980 (60%), 1984 (69%), and 1988 (69%).

While in the California Senate, he served as Majority Leader. His sponsored legislation reformed health care, welfare, and the state tax code. He also protected Lake Tahoe and Mono Lake. He was Chairman of the Joint Committee on Science and Technology, the Senate Health and Welfare Committee, the Senate Revenue and Taxation Committee.

1982 gubernatorial election

See also: California gubernatorial election, 1982

He ran for Governor of California for the first time in 1982. In the Democratic primary, Los Angeles Mayor Tom Bradley defeated him 61%-25%.

1986 Controller election

In the 1986 Democratic primary for California State Controller, Garamendi lost to Assemblyman Gray Davis, 50%-38%.

Insurance Commissioner (1991-1995)

1990 election

He ran for California Insurance Commissioner for the first time in 1990. He won the Democratic primary with a plurality of 36% of the vote. His closest challenger was radio talk show host Bill Press, who got 28% of the vote. In the general election, he defeated Republican Wes Bannister 52%-38%.

Tenure

His early years in the office brought him much controversy due to the state seizure of Executive Life Insurance Company, a bankruptcy that was coincidental with the creation of the state Department of Insurance. In addition to this had a number of other accomplishments. He successfully implemented Proposition 103, reforming the auto and homeowner insurance industry. Under his leadership, the department protected homeowners from the Oakland Hills Fire by forcing insurance companies to fully pay for rebuilding. His department earned a reputation as the best consumer protection agency in the nation.

1994 gubernatorial election

See also: California gubernatorial election, 1994

Garamendi ran for California Governor a second time in 1994. In the Democratic primary, State Treasurer Kathleen Brown defeated him 48%-33%.

1995-2003

After his tenure as Insurance Commissioner, President Bill Clinton appointed Garamendi to serve as Deputy Secretary of the Interior, the second-highest post in the U.S. Department of the Interior. He resigned in 1998 and led groups of Peace Corps volunteers that helped negotiate peace in the Eritrean-Ethiopian War and Congo Civil War from 1998 to 2000. He then spent time in the private sector.

Insurance Commissioner (2003-2007)

2002 election

See also: California Insurance Commissioner election, 2002

He ran for California Insurance Commissioner for a second time in 2002. He won the Democratic primary with 39% of the vote. In the general election, he defeated Republican Gary Mendoza 46%-42%.

Tenure

He created a Home Owners Bill of Rights. This helped create laws that reduced workers compensation costs 58% and reduced premiums by over $500 million. He re-established an anti-fraud task force. He also developed a report analyzing California’s health care system with 43 recommended improvements.

2003 gubernatorial election

See also: California gubernatorial election, 2003

On August 7, 2003 Garamendi announced his candidacy for Governor a third time in the gubernatorial recall election, but dropped out two days later to endorse Lieutenant Governor Cruz Bustamante.

Lieutenant Governor (2007-2009)

2006 election

See also: California lieutenant gubernatorial election, 2006

On July 16, 2004, Garamendi announced his candidacy to run for Lieutenant Governor of California, the first and only time he would run for this position. Incumbent Cruz Bustamante was term-limited and decided to run to replace Garamendi as Insurance Commissioner. Garamendi's endorsers included former Vice President Al Gore, Sierra Club, the California Teachers Association, the California League of Conservation Voters, the Peace Officers Research Association of California, the California Professional Firefighters Association, former U.S. Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle, and former U.S. Interior Secretary Bruce Babbitt. Garamendi won the Democratic primary by defeating state senators Jackie Speier and Liz Figueroa 43%-40%-18%. In the general election, he defeated Republican State Senator Tom McClintock 49%-45%.

Tenure

As Lieutenant Governor of California Garamendi was the de jure President of the State Senate, regent of the University California, Trustee of the California State University System, member of the California State Lands Commission, Chairman of the California Commission for Economic Development, and acting Governor.

U.S. House of Representatives (2009-Present)

Elections

2009

Main article: California's 10th congressional district special election, 2009

Despite living outside of California's 10th congressional district, Garamendi announced his intention to run for the 2009 special election in the 10th district, where Democratic U.S. Congresswoman Ellen Tauscher had vacated her seat. There was some confusion about the location of Garamendi's residence. Garamendi said: "My front yard is in the district, our bedroom is not." Garamendi continued to fuel speculation about the location of his residence when he made similar comments to the NYT in July, stating the same thing. The Sacramento Board of Elections later confirmed that no portion of Garamendi’s property lies within Congressional District 10.

In the September election, no candidate reached the 50% threshold to avoid a run-off election. Garamendi ranked first among Democrats with 26% of the vote, defeating State Senator Mark DeSaulnier (18%) and Assemblymember Joan Buchanan (12%). In the November run-off special election, Garamendi defeated Republican nominee David Harmer 53%-43%. After winning the special election on November 3, Garamendi was sworn in as a member of the US House of Representatives on November 5, 2009.

2010

See also: United States House of Representatives elections in California, 2010 § District 10

Garamendi won re-election to his first full term defeating Republican nominee Gary Clift 59%-38%.

2012

See also: United States House of Representatives elections in California, 2012 § District 3

After redistricting, Garamendi filed papers in March 2012 to run in the newly redrawn California's 3rd congressional district.

The old 10th Congressional District represented by Garamendi made up just 23% of the new 3rd district. While the old 10th Congressional District traditionally favored Democrats, the new 3rd District is now considered swing district by some. Garamendi defeated Republican Kim Vann 54.2%-45.8%.

2014

See also: United States House of Representatives elections in California, 2014 § District 3

Garamendi was re-elected.

Tenure

During the 111th Congress, Garamendi voted with his party 98% of the time.

While Democrats had the majority in the U.S. House of Representatives from 2009 to 2010, Garamendi voted for most of Speaker Nancy Pelosi's agenda. Some key votes include his support of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, and the Don't Ask, Don't Tell Repeal Act of 2010.

Garamendi has voted with the Democratic party 93% of the time. Garamendi also voted against the balanced budget amendment.

Defense

John Garmendi actively opposed a GOP-backed construction of a missile defense site on the East Coast, saying it was fiscally irresponsible to be "spending up to $5 billion in the next three years on a missile defense system that doesn't work."

Garamendi is also part of a bipartisan group that wants to challenge "a new law that allows the indefinite detention without trial of suspected terrorists." He also voted against extending the Patriot Act.

Syrian refugees

Garamendi voted on Nov. 19, 2015, for HR 4038, legislation that would effectively halt the resettlement of refugees from Syria and Iraq to the United States.

Committee assignments

• Committee on Armed Services
  • Subcommittee on Intelligence, Emerging Threats and Capabilities
  • Subcommittee on Strategic Forces
• Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure
  • Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation
  • Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment

Caucus memberships

• House Democratic Caucus
• International Conservation Caucus
• Military Families Caucus
• Populist Caucus

Electoral history

Public Offices
Office	Type	Location	Elected	Term began	Term ended
State Assemblyman	Legislature	Sacramento	1974	December 7, 1974	December 2, 1976
State Senator	Legislature	Sacramento	1976	December 2, 1976	December 8, 1980
State Senator	Legislature	Sacramento	1980	December 8, 1980	December 3, 1984
State Senator	Legislature	Sacramento	1984	December 3, 1984	December 5, 1988
State Senator	Legislature	Sacramento	1988	December 5, 1988	December 3, 1990
Insurance Commissioner	Executive	Sacramento	1990	January 7, 1991	January 2, 1995
Insurance Commissioner	Executive	Sacramento	2002	January 6, 2003	January 8, 2007
Lieutenant Governor	Executive	Sacramento	2006	January 8, 2007	November 3, 2009
U.S. Representative	Legislative	Washington, D.C.	2009	November 3, 2009	January 3, 2011
U.S. Representative	Legislative	Washington, D.C.	2010	January 3, 2011	Present

California State Legislature service
	Chamber	Majority	Governor	Committees	District
1975-1976	Assembly	Democratic	Jerry Brown		7
1977-1978	Senate	Democratic	Jerry Brown		13
1979-1980	Senate	Democratic	Jerry Brown		13
1981-1982	Senate	Democratic	Jerry Brown		13
1983-1984	Senate	Democratic	George Deukmejian		5
1985-1986	Senate	Democratic	George Deukmejian		5
1987-1988	Senate	Democratic	George Deukmejian		5
1989-1990	Senate	Democratic	George Deukmejian		5

California Insurance Commissioner general election, 1990
Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Democratic	John Garamendi	3,770,717	52.2
	Republican	Wes Bannister	2,736,577	37.9
	Libertarian	Ted Brown	431,317	6.0
	Peace and Freedom	Tom Condit	281,276	3.9
Total votes			7,220,508
Majority			1,034,140	14.3
Turnout
	Democratic win (new seat)

California Insurance Commissioner general election, 2002
Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Democratic	John Garamendi	3,346,937	46.5
	Republican	Gary Mendoza	2,998,243	41.6
	Green	David Ishmael Sheidlower	277,667	3.9
	Libertarian	Dale F. Ogden	236,688	3.3
	Natural Law	Raul Calderon	192,001	2.7
	American Independent	Steven A. Klein	148,893	2.1
Total votes			7,200,429
Majority			348,694	4.9
Turnout
	Democratic hold		Swing

California Lieutenant Governor primary election, 2006
Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Democratic	John Garamendi	1,045,097	42.5
	Democratic	Jackie Speier	975,530	39.7
	Democratic	Liz Figueroa	436,849	17.8
Total votes			2,457,476
Majority			69,567	2.8
Turnout

California Lieutenant Governor general election, 2006
Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Democratic	John Garamendi	4,189,584	49.1
	Republican	Tom McClintock	3,845,858	45.1
	Green	Donna J. Warren	239,107	2.8
	Libertarian	Lynnete Shaw	142,851	1.7
	American Independent	Jim King	68,446	0.8
	Peace and Freedom	Tom Condit	43,319	0.5
Total votes			8,529,165
Majority			343,726	4.0
Turnout
	Democratic hold		Swing

California's 10th congressional district special primary, 2009
Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	John Garamendi	27,580	25.70
	Republican	David Harmer	22,582	21.05
	Democratic	Mark DeSaulnier	18,888	17.60
	Democratic	Joan Buchanan	12,896	12.02
	Democratic	Anthony Woods	9,388	8.75
	Republican	Chris Bunch	4,871	4.54
	Republican	Gary Clift	4,158	3.88
	Republican	John Toth	3,340	3.11
	Republican	David Peterson	1,671	1.56
	Green	Jeremy Cloward	552	0.51
	Republican	Mark Loos	418	0.39
	Democratic	Adriel Hampton	376	0.35
	American Independent	Jerome Denham	309	0.29
	Peace and Freedom	Mary McIlroy	272	0.25
	Democratic	Tiffany Attwood (write-in)	2	0.00
Total votes			107,303	100.00
Voter turnout			29.39%
United States House of Representatives elections, 2010
Party		Candidate	Votes	%

California's 10th congressional district special election, 2009
Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	John Garamendi	72,817	52.85
	Republican	David Harmer	59,017	42.83
	Green	Jeremy Cloward	2,515	1.83
	Peace and Freedom	Mary McIlroy	1,846	1.34
	American Independent	Jerome Denham	1,591	1.15
Total votes			137,786	100.00
Voter turnout			35.33%
	Democratic hold

United States House of Representatives elections, 2010
Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	John Garamendi (incumbent)	137,578	58.9
	Republican	Gary Clift	88,512	37.8
	Green	Jeremy Cloward	7,716	3.3
Total votes			233,806	100.0
Voter turnout			%
	Democratic hold

United States House of Representatives elections, 2012
Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	John Garamendi (incumbent)	126,882	54.2
	Republican	Kim Vann	107,086	45.8
Total votes			233,968	100.0
Voter turnout			%
	Democratic hold

Personal life

Garamendi is married to Patricia W. "Patti" Garamendi, who has worked as Agriculture Specialist for the California Exposition and State Fair and as Deputy Secretary of California's Business, Transportation and Housing Agency. In 1993, she was appointed by President Clinton to serve as Associate Director of the Peace Corps and in 1998 as Deputy Administrator in the Department of Agriculture, Foreign Agricultural Service. They live in Walnut Grove and have six children and nine grandchildren.

[ Source: Wikipedia ]