John Garamendi facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
John Garamendi
|
|
|---|---|
.jpg)
Garamendi in 2022
|
|
| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from California |
|
| Assumed office November 5, 2009 |
|
| Preceded by | Ellen Tauscher |
| Constituency | 10th district (2009–2013) 3rd district (2013–2023) 8th district (2023–present) |
| 46th Lieutenant Governor of California | |
| In office January 8, 2007 – November 3, 2009 |
|
| Governor | Arnold Schwarzenegger |
| Preceded by | Cruz Bustamante |
| Succeeded by | Mona Pasquil (acting) |
| Insurance Commissioner of California | |
| In office January 6, 2003 – January 8, 2007 |
|
| Governor | Gray Davis Arnold Schwarzenegger |
| Preceded by | Harry Low |
| Succeeded by | Steve Poizner |
| In office January 7, 1991 – January 2, 1995 |
|
| Governor | Pete Wilson |
| Preceded by | Roxanni Gillespie |
| Succeeded by | Chuck Quackenbush |
| 1st United States Deputy Secretary of the Interior | |
| In office August 15, 1995 – April 1998 |
|
| President | Bill Clinton |
| Preceded by | Position established |
| Succeeded by | David J. Hayes |
| Member of the California Senate | |
| In office December 3, 1976 – November 30, 1990 |
|
| Preceded by | Al Alquist |
| Succeeded by | Patrick Johnston |
| Constituency | 13th district (1976–1984) 5th district (1984–1990) |
| Member of the California State Assembly from the 7th district |
|
| In office December 7, 1974 – November 30, 1976 |
|
| Preceded by | Bill Bagley |
| Succeeded by | Norman S. Waters |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
John Raymond Garamendi
January 24, 1945 Camp Blanding, Florida, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse |
Patricia Wilkinson
(m. 1965) |
| Children | 6 |
| Education | University of California, Berkeley (BA) Harvard University (MBA) |
| Signature |  |
| Website | |
John Raymond Garamendi (born January 24, 1945) is an American businessman and politician. He is a member of the Democratic Party. Since 2009, he has served in the United States House of Representatives, representing areas of Northern California.
Before joining Congress, Garamendi held several important jobs in California's government. He was the California insurance commissioner twice, from 1991 to 1995 and again from 2003 to 2007. He also served as the lieutenant governor of California from 2007 to 2009.
Garamendi also worked for the U.S. government as the Deputy Secretary of the Interior from 1995 to 1998. This job involved helping to manage the country's natural resources and land.
Contents
Early Life and Schooling
John Garamendi was born in Camp Blanding, Florida, but he grew up in Mokelumne Hill, California. His family has roots in the Basque Country of Spain and France.
He went to the University of California, Berkeley, where he earned a degree in business. At Berkeley, he played football as an offensive guard and was also a wrestler. Later, he earned a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree from Harvard Business School.
From 1966 to 1968, Garamendi served in the Peace Corps in Ethiopia. The Peace Corps is a program where Americans volunteer to help people in other countries.
Start of His Political Career
California State Legislature
Garamendi's career in politics began in 1974 when he was elected to the California State Assembly. He served one term there.
In 1976, he was elected to the California State Senate, where he served for 14 years until 1990. During his time in the Senate, he became the Majority Leader, which is a top leadership role.
Runs for Other Offices
While serving in the state senate, Garamendi tried to run for other statewide offices. In 1982, he ran for governor of California but did not win the Democratic Party's nomination. In 1986, he ran for California State Controller but was also unsuccessful in the primary election.
California Insurance Commissioner
The job of the Insurance Commissioner is to oversee insurance companies in the state to make sure they treat customers fairly.
First Term (1991–1995)
In 1990, Garamendi was elected as California's first-ever elected Insurance Commissioner. During this time, he dealt with a major issue involving a failing insurance company called Executive Life. The situation was very complicated and led to problems for the people who had insurance policies with the company.
After his term, Garamendi ran for governor again in 1994 but lost in the Democratic primary.
Second Term (2003–2007)
Garamendi was elected as Insurance Commissioner for a second time in 2002. In 2003, there was a special election to recall, or remove, the governor. Garamendi briefly entered the race but soon dropped out to support Lieutenant Governor Cruz Bustamante.
Working for the U.S. Government
After his first term as insurance commissioner, Garamendi took a break from elected office. President Bill Clinton appointed him as the Deputy Secretary of the Interior in 1995. In this role, he helped manage the nation's public lands and natural resources.
He left this job in 1998 and returned to the Peace Corps. He helped lead volunteer groups that worked on peace treaties in wars in Ethiopia, Eritrea, and Congo.
Lieutenant Governor of California
In 2006, Garamendi was elected as the Lieutenant Governor of California. The lieutenant governor is the second-highest official in the state and takes over if the governor can't do their job. He served in this role until he was elected to Congress in 2009.
U.S. House of Representatives
A member of the U.S. House of Representatives helps create and vote on federal laws for the entire country. Each member represents a specific area, called a congressional district.
How He Got Elected
In 2009, the U.S. Representative for California's 10th district, Ellen Tauscher, resigned. Garamendi decided to run in the special election to fill her seat. He won the election in November 2009 and has been a member of Congress ever since.
Over the years, the boundaries of his district have changed due to redistricting, a process that happens every ten years. He has been reelected multiple times, representing different districts in Northern California.
What He Focuses On in Congress
Garamendi has worked on many different issues in Congress. He often votes in line with the positions of his party and President Joe Biden.
Environment
Garamendi supports the Green New Deal, a plan to address climate change and create jobs in clean energy. He has also worked on laws related to offshore wind farms and protecting the environment.
Health Care
He is a supporter of the Medicare for All Act, a proposal that would create a single national health insurance program for all Americans.
Military and National Security
.jpg)
Garamendi serves on the House Armed Services Committee, which oversees the U.S. military. He has sometimes voted against large military spending bills, arguing that the money could be better used for other things, like education and ending poverty. He has also supported bringing U.S. troops home from wars abroad.
Economy
Garamendi has been critical of tax cuts that he believes mainly help wealthy people and large corporations. He has argued for policies that support the middle class. He also introduced a bill to help people refinance their student loans at lower interest rates.
Personal Life
Garamendi is married to Patricia Wilkinson. She has also worked in public service, including for the Peace Corps and the U.S. Department of Agriculture. They live in Walnut Grove, California, and have six children and thirteen grandchildren.
In July 2024, Garamendi announced that he had been diagnosed with a type of cancer called multiple myeloma.
See also
