COMMITTEES

United States Representative

BIRTH

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ABOUT

Biography

John Garamendi, born on January 24, 1945, in Camp Blanding, Florida, is a Democratic member of the U.S. House of Representatives, serving California's 8th Congressional District, which encompasses much of Contra Costa and Solano Counties. Raised in Mokelumne Hill, California, he has dedicated his career to public service, holding various significant positions at both state and federal levels.

Garamendi's political journey began in 1974 when he was elected to the California State Assembly. He later served four terms in the California State Senate, where he authored pioneering legislation, including the nation's first solar, wind, and energy conservation tax credits, and the Rural Health Act of California, ensuring healthcare access for underserved rural communities.

In 1991, Garamendi became California's first elected Insurance Commissioner, a role he held until 1995, and again from 2003 to 2007. During his tenure, he implemented reforms that led to a 58% reduction in workers' compensation costs. Between these terms, he served as Deputy Secretary of the Interior under President Bill Clinton from 1995 to 1998, leading efforts to restore the environment in the San Francisco Bay, Sacramento Delta, and surrounding river basins.

In 2007, Garamendi was elected Lieutenant Governor of California, where he chaired the State Lands Commission and successfully opposed offshore oil and gas development projects. He was first elected to Congress in a 2009 special election and has since been re-elected multiple times. As a senior member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee and Chairman of the Armed Services Subcommittee on Readiness, he has been a staunch advocate for infrastructure modernization, military readiness, and veterans' affairs.

Garamendi and his wife, Patti, began their married life as Peace Corps volunteers in Ethiopia from 1966 to 1968, teaching and engaging in community development. They reside in Walnut Grove, California, where they raise Angus cattle and grow pears. The couple has six children and 14 grandchildren.

Education and Political Experience

• Education:

  • Bachelor of Arts in Business from the University of California, Berkeley
  • Master of Business Administration from Harvard Business School

• Political Experience:

  • California State Assemblyman
  • California State Senator , serving as Majority Leader and chairing multiple committees
  • California Insurance Commissioner
  • Deputy Secretary of the Interior
  • Lieutenant Governor of California
  • U.S. Representative for California's 10th, 3rd, and currently 8th Congressional Districts

Throughout his career, Garamendi has been a proponent of renewable energy, healthcare access, environmental conservation, and infrastructure development, consistently working to improve the lives of Californians and Americans nationwide.

OFFICES HELD

United States Representative from United States