John Garamendi (CA-8)

Biography

John Raymond Garamendi is a Democratic member of the United States House of Representatives, representing California's 8th Congressional District, which includes much of Contra Costa and Solano Counties, areas between San Francisco and Sacramento such as Fairfield and Vacaville. Born January 24, 1945, and raised on his family's ranch in Mokelumne Hill, California, he has nearly five decades of public service. Notable achievements include authoring California's first solar, wind, and energy conservation tax credits; the Rural Health Act establishing community health clinics; and the nation's first state assault weapons ban. He served as California's first elected Insurance Commissioner , where he reformed insurance practices, reduced rates, and curbed fraud; Deputy Secretary of the Interior under President Clinton , leading water and environmental restoration efforts like the "Garamendi Process" for the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta; and Lieutenant Governor , protecting coastal beaches and advocating for economic development. In Congress since a 2009 special election, he serves as top Democrat on the House Armed Services Subcommittee on Readiness, and on the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, focusing on infrastructure, water resiliency, veterans, gun control, universal healthcare, and "Buy America" policies. He began his career as a Peace Corps volunteer in Ethiopia with his wife Patti.

Education and Political Experience

• Education: B.A. in business from UC Berkeley ; M.B.A. from Harvard Business School.
• Political Experience:
  • California State Assembly : Authored pioneering energy tax credits and Rural Health Act.
  • California State Senate : Passed assault weapons ban, emergency medical system laws, Lake Tahoe protections, and competitiveness agenda.
  • California Insurance Commissioner : Implemented Proposition 103 reforms, cut workers' compensation costs by 58%.
  • Deputy Secretary of the Interior .
  • Lieutenant Governor of California : Chaired State Lands Commission and Commission for Economic Development.
  • U.S. House of Representatives, CA-8 : Eighth term, emphasizing defense readiness, infrastructure, water conservation, and job creation.