John Garamendi

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John Garamendi
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from California's 10th district
Incumbent
Assumed office
November 3, 2009
Preceded by Ellen Tauscher
46th Lieutenant Governor of California
In office
January 8, 2007 – November 3, 2009
Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger
Preceded by Cruz Bustamante
Succeeded by Mona Pasquil
as Acting Lieutenant Governor
1st and 5th California Insurance Commissioner
In office
January 6, 2003 – January 8, 2007
Governor Gray Davis
Arnold Schwarzenegger
Preceded by Harry W. Low
Succeeded by Steve Poizner
In office
January 7, 1991 – January 2, 1995
Governor Pete Wilson
Preceded by new position
Succeeded by Chuck Quackenbush
United States Deputy Secretary of the Interior
In office
1995–1998
President Bill Clinton
Member of the California State Senate
from the 5th district
In office
1984–1991
Preceded by Milton Marks
Succeeded by Patrick Johnston
Member of the California State Senate
from the 13th district
In office
1976–1984
Preceded by Clare Berryhill
Succeeded by Al Alquist
Member of the California State Assembly
from the 7th district
In office
1974–1976
Preceded by William T. Bagley
Succeeded by Norman S. Waters
Personal details
Born John Raymond Garamendi
(1945-01-24) January 24, 1945 (age 67)
Camp Blanding, Florida
Political party Democratic
Spouse(s) Patricia W. Garamendi[1]
Children 6 children[1]
Residence Walnut Grove, California
Alma mater UC Berkeley (B.A.)
Harvard Business School (M.B.A.)
Religion Christian[2]

John Raymond Garamendi (born January 24, 1945) is an American politician and the U.S. Representative for California's 10th congressional district, serving since November 2009. He is a member of the Democratic Party. Garamendi was the California State Insurance Commissioner from 1991 to 1995, the U.S. Deputy Secretary of the Interior from 1995 to 1998, and the California State Insurance Commissioner again from 2003 to 2007. He then served as the 46th Lieutenant Governor of California from January 8, 2007 until he was elected to Congress in November 2009.[3]

Garamendi was temporarily a candidate for Governor of California in the 2010 election after announcing his candidacy on July 31, 2008.[4] However, he suspended his candidacy on April 29, 2009, to run for Congress in the 10th congressional district.[5] This seat was vacated by Ellen Tauscher, who resigned to become Undersecretary of State for Arms Control and International Security.[6] Garamendi won the Democratic Party nomination in the primary election for the seat on September 1 and then won the special election on November 3, 2009. Garamendi was re-elected to a full term in 2010.

Contents

[edit] 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 and his mother was of half Irish and half Italian ancestry.[7][8] 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.[9] He served in the Peace Corps in Ethiopia from 1966 to 1968.[10] Garamendi is an Eagle Scout. Garamendi is also a member of Sigma Chi, as a brother of the Alpha Beta Chapter at Berkeley.[11]

[edit] California legislature (1977-1991)

[edit] Elections

In 1974, Garamendi decided to run in California's 7th State Assembly district. He defeated incumbent Republican State Representative Douglas Carter 64%-36%.[12]

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%.[13] He won re-election in 1980 (60%)[14], 1984 (69%)[15], and 1988 (69%)[16].

[edit] Tenure

While in the California Senate, he was the Senate Majority Leader. His sponsored legislature reformed health care, welfare, and the state tax code. He also protected Lake Tahoe and Lake Mono.[17]

[edit] Committee assignments

He was Chairman of the Joint Committee on Science and Technology, the Senate Health and Welfare Committee, the Senate Revenue and Taxation Committee.[18]

[edit] Latter political career (1991-2009)

Garamendi outside the California State Capitol building in Sacramento, California

[edit] Insurance Commissioner (1991-1995)

His early years in the office that 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.[19]

[edit] 1995-2003

After his tenure as Insurance Commissioner, he spent four years in the private sector. He led groups of Peace Corps volunteers that helped negotiate peace in the Eritrean–Ethiopian War and Congo Civil War.[9] In 1999, 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.

[edit] Insurance Commissioner (2003-2007)

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.[20]

[edit] Lieutenant Governor (2007-2009)

While being Lieutenant Governor of California he was the De Facto 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.[21]

[edit] U.S. House of Representatives (2009-Present)

[edit] 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, vacated by Democrat U.S. Congresswoman Ellen Tauscher. There was some confusion about the location of Garamendi's residence, as he told both the New York Times and San Francisco Chronicle that a portion of his property was, in fact, in the district. "My front yard is in the district, our bedroom is not" – SF Chronicle April, 2009. 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.

The district is Democratic leaning. Barack Obama got 65% here in 2008 and Barbara Boxer got 56% here in 2010.

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 State Representative Joan Buchanan (12%). In the November run-off special election, Garamendi defeated Republican nominee David Harmer 53%-43%.[22][23] 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.[24]

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%.[25]

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.[26][27]

He currently represents just 23% of the district. While his current 10th CD is leaning Democrat, the new 3rd CD is a swing district. Precinct analysis indicates that Obama would've gotten 56% (-9) in 2008 and Boxer would've gotten 45% (-11) in 2010.

[edit] Tenure

According to The Washington Post, he votes with his party 94% of the time.

While Democrats had the majority in the U.S. House of Representatives (2009-2010), Garamendi voted for most of Speaker Nancy Pelosi's agenda. Some key votes include his support of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act,[28] Dodd–Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act,[29] and the Don't Ask, Don't Tell Repeal Act of 2010.[30]

He voted against most House Speaker John Boehner's agenda. He voted against the balanced budget amendment. He also voted against extending the Patriot Act.[31]

[edit] Committee assignments

[edit] Caucus memberships

[edit] Statewide elections

[edit] 1982 election for Governor

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%.[32]

[edit] 1986 election for Controller

He ran for California Controller only once in his political career, and that was in 1986. In the Democratic primary, State Representative Gray Davis defeated him 50%-38%.[33]

[edit] 1990 election for Insurance Commissioner

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.[34] In the general election, he defeated Republican Wes Bannister 52%-38%.[35]

[edit] 1994 election for Governor

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%.[36][37]

[edit] 2002 election for Insurance Commissioner

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.[38] In the general election, he defeated Republican Gary Mendoza 46%-42%.[39]

[edit] 2003 election for Governor

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.

[edit] 2006 election for Lieutenant Governor

See also: California lieutenant gubernatorial election, 2006

On July 16, 2004, Garamendi announced his candidacy to run for Lieutenant Governor of California, his first and only time he would run for this position. The incumbent, Cruz Bustamante was term-limited, and decided to run to replace Garamendi as Insurance Commissioner. His endorsements include 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%.[40] In the general election, he defeated Republican State Senator Tom McClintock 49%-45%.[41]

[edit] 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 5, 2009
U.S. Representative Legislative Washington, D.C. 2009 November 5, 2009 January 3, 2011
U.S. Representative Legislative Washington, D.C. 2010 January 3, 2011 Present
California State Legislature service
Session 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[42]
Party Candidate Votes Percentage
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%
Totals 107,303 100.00%
Voter turnout 29.39%
United States House of Representatives elections, 2010[43]
Party Candidate Votes Percentage
California's 10th congressional district special election, 2009[44]
Party Candidate Votes Percentage
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%
Totals 137,786 100.00%
Voter turnout 35.33%
Democratic hold
United States House of Representatives elections, 2010[45]
Party Candidate Votes Percentage
Democratic John Garamendi (incumbent) 137,578 58.9%
Republican Gary Clift 88,512 37.8%
Green Jeremy Cloward 7,716 3.3%
Totals 233,806 100.0%
Voter turnout  %
Democratic hold

[edit] Personal life

Garamendi is married and has six children.[1]

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b c "Representative John Garamendi (CA)". Project Vote Smart. http://www.votesmart.org/bio.php?can_id=29664. Retrieved November 21, 2010. 
  2. ^ "Rep. John Garamendi (D-CA 10th District)". Congress.org. http://congress.org/congressorg/bio/id/130824. Retrieved November 21, 2010. 
  3. ^ "Congressional District 10 Special General Election Results". Secretary of State of California. 2009-11-03. http://www.sos.ca.gov/elect-results/cd10-results.htm. Retrieved 2009-11-03. [dead link]
  4. ^ Garamendi bid press release
  5. ^ John Garamendi announces for Congress
  6. ^ "Tauscher accepts State Department post - San Jose Mercury News". Mercurynews.com. http://www.mercurynews.com/breakingnews/ci_11942936/. Retrieved 2010-08-22. 
  7. ^ John Garamendi in an exclusive interview with EuskoSare: "There is a culture of education and advancement within the Basque community"
  8. ^ http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/%7Ebattle/reps/garamendi.htm
  9. ^ a b "Biography". US House of Representatives. http://garamendi.house.gov/about/biography.shtml. Retrieved January 8, 2011. 
  10. ^ "Notable former Peace Corps Volunteers in Government." About the Peace Corps.
  11. ^ List of Notable Sigma Chi's on fraternity's website
  12. ^ http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=549314
  13. ^ http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=543766
  14. ^ http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=500139
  15. ^ http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=443280
  16. ^ http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=374790
  17. ^ http://garamendi.house.gov/about/biography.shtml
  18. ^ http://www.ourcampaigns.com/CandidateDetail.html?CandidateID=3652
  19. ^ http://garamendi.house.gov/about/biography.shtml
  20. ^ http://garamendi.house.gov/about/biography.shtml
  21. ^ http://www.garamendi.org/bio
  22. ^ http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=557824
  23. ^ California Secretary of State election results, Tenth CD, November 2009
  24. ^ "Garamendi Takes Oath In Congress", KCRA.com, November 5, 2009.
  25. ^ http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=487929
  26. ^ http://www.thereporter.com/rss/ci_20086052?source=rss
  27. ^ http://woodlandrecord.com/garamendi-is-a-candidate-for-new-third-congressional-district-p2454-1.htm
  28. ^ http://clerk.house.gov/evs/2010/roll165.xml
  29. ^ http://clerk.house.gov/evs/2010/roll413.xml
  30. ^ http://clerk.house.gov/evs/2010/roll638.xml
  31. ^ http://projects.washingtonpost.com/congress/112/house/1/votes/66/
  32. ^ http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=389358
  33. ^ http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=563457
  34. ^ http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=554017
  35. ^ http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=331382
  36. ^ http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=113619
  37. ^ "1994 Election Returns: Statewide Races." Office of the California Secretary of State (November 9, 1994).
  38. ^ http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=375996
  39. ^ http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=1611
  40. ^ http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=112293
  41. ^ http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=112362
  42. ^ "Official Canvass: United States Representative 10th Congressional District Special Primary Election, September 1, 2009" (PDF). Secretary of State of California. 2009-09-09. http://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/Special/cd10/final-official-results-cd10-primary.pdf. Retrieved 2009-09-22. 
  43. ^ 2010 general election results
  44. ^ "Official Canvass: United States Representative 10th Congressional District Special General Election, November 3, 2009" (PDF). Secretary of State of California. 2009-11-16. http://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/Special/cd10/final-official-results-cd10-general.pdf. Retrieved 2009-11-16. 
  45. ^ 2010 general election results

[edit] External links

California Assembly
Preceded by
William T. Bagley		 California State Assembly
7th district
1975–1977		 Succeeded by
Norman S. Waters
California Senate
Preceded by
Clare Berryhill		 California State Senator
13th and 5th districts
1977–1991		 Succeeded by
Patrick Johnston
Political offices
Preceded by
None		 California Insurance Commissioner
January 7, 1991–January 2, 1995		 Succeeded by
Chuck Quackenbush
Preceded by
Harry W. Low		 California Insurance Commissioner
January 6, 2003–January 8, 2007		 Succeeded by
Steve Poizner
Preceded by
Cruz Bustamante		 Lieutenant Governor of California
January 8, 2007–November 3, 2009		 Succeeded by
Mona Pasquil
Acting Lieutenant Governor
United States House of Representatives
Preceded by
Ellen Tauscher		 Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from California's 10th congressional district
November 5, 2009 – present		 Incumbent
United States order of precedence
Preceded by
Judy Chu
D-California		 United States Representatives by seniority
332nd		 Succeeded by
Bill Owens
D-New York
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Garamendi • Quackenbush • Kelso • Low • Garamendi • Poizner • Jones
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