Rep. John Garamendi

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D California, 10th (2009-2013), 3rd (2013-2023), 8th (2023-) In Office

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Biographical

Full Name: John Raymond Garamendi
Gender: Male
Pronunciation: jahn gair-uh-MEN-dee
Date of Birth: Jan. 24, 1945 (age: 79)
Place of Birth: Camp Blanding, Fla.
Religion: Protestant
Hometown: Mokelumne Hill, Calif.
Place of Residence: Walnut Grove, Calif.
Occupation: Real estate developer

Wikipedia

Official biography

Family:

Married: Patricia W. Garamendi

6 children, including Ashley

Relations with people in our database:

Father of Ashley Faith Garamendi

Father-in-law of Kevin Hesser

Biography:

John Garamendi joined the U.S. House of Representatives on November 5, 2009.

He has been a tireless proponent of job creation, quality and affordable health care, education, environmental protection, and scientific research, while always working to ensure the stability and success of the state he has always called home.

Garamendi was raised on his family’s cattle ranch in Mokelumne Hill. He graduated with a BA in business from UC Berkeley and an MBA from Harvard Business School.

Garamendi and his wife started their married life as Peace Corps volunteers teaching and doing community development work in Ethiopia. Patti has served as Assistant Director of the Peace Corps and as a Deputy Administrator at the United States Department of Agriculture's Foreign Agricultural Service. John and Patti live in Walnut Grove and have six children and their grandchildren.

As California’s 46th Lieutenant Governor, Garamendi was Chair of the Commission for Economic Development, where he transformed this important body into a powerhouse to advocate for workforce development, vocational education, and research. As a Regent of the University of California and Trustee for the California State University System, Garamendi fought to hold the line on student fee increases and excessive administrator salaries. As Chair of the California State Lands Commission, he led the fight against new offshore oil drilling.

John was elected to the California legislature in 1974, where he served for 16 years, attaining the position of Senate Majority Leader. His laws established California’s emergency medical system, expanded community health clinics, created a work-oriented welfare program, protected Lake Tahoe and Mono Lakes, and developed an overall state agenda for competitiveness and scientific advancement. He authored the Senior Center Bond Act and a proposition that brought $18 billion to public transit and highways.

In 1991, Garamendi became California’s Insurance Commissioner. He successfully implemented Proposition 103, reforming the auto and homeowner insurance industry. He delivered over $1 billion in rebates to insurance consumers and lowered homeowner and auto insurance rates, saving consumers over $24 billion. Under his leadership the Department protected homeowners devastated by the Oakland Hills Fire, forcing insurers to fully pay for rebuilding. His Department earned a reputation as the best consumer protection agency in the nation.

In 1995, President Bill Clinton appointed Garamendi as Deputy Secretary of the U.S. Interior Department. John spearheaded efforts to resolve water disputes in California and to protect the Sacramento San Joaquin River Delta. He negotiated the purchase of the Headwaters Forest, coordinated research on global warming, and established habitat conservation plans in California.

Reelected California’s Insurance Commissioner in 2002, he set about rebuilding the Department. His work culminated in new laws that led to a 58% reduction in workers compensation costs. His Home Owners Bill of Rights added protections for homeowners and reduced their premiums by over $500 million. He reestablished an aggressive anti-fraud task force, sponsored legislation to prevent senior insurance scams, improved protections for disabled consumers, and stopped insurance brokers from overcharging business consumers. He developed a comprehensive health care report analyzing California’s health care system with 43 concrete recommendations.

One of Garamendi’s passions is a commitment to international service. He led a group of returned Peace Corps volunteers on a peace mission during the Ethiopian-Eritrea war in 1998-2000, helping to negotiate a peace treaty. Garamendi created a similar team that assisted in peace negotiations in the Congo Civil War.

Rep. Garamendi has forged a reputation as a fierce defender of consumers and a visionary, effective leader. He possesses the unique wealth of knowledge and experience necessary to tackle today’s complex challenges. See more >>

Miscellaneous Links:

Ballotpedia

C-SPAN

GovTrack

Project VoteSmart

Campaign Links:

Website, campaign

Email, campaign: info@garamendi.org

X (Twitter), campaign

Facebook, campaign

Open Secrets political finance profile

YouTube, campaign

Flickr, campaign

Social Networking:

YouTube

Facebook, official

X (Twitter), official

YouTube, official

Instagram, official

Flickr, official

Official Links:

Website, official

Press Releases

Education

Harvard Business School - MBA (1970)
University of California Berkeley - BA (1966)

Activities and notes: Football; wrestling

Greek Organizations:

Sigma Chi Fraternity

Office History

Congressional Offices:

U.S. House of Representatives (Jan. 3, 2023-) In Office

Member, 8th Congressional District of California
U.S. House of Representatives (Jan. 3, 2013-Jan. 2, 2023) Changed District

Member, 3rd Congressional District of California
U.S. House of Representatives (Nov. 3, 2009-Jan. 2, 2013) Changed District

Member, 10th Congressional District of California

State Legislature Offices:

California Senate (1984-1990)

D Senator, District 5
California Senate (1976-1984)

D Senator, District 13
California Assembly (1974-1976)

D Assembly Member, District 7

Election Results

2021 (Nov. 3, 2020 election)

3rd Congressional District of California

John Raymond Garamendi, 54.67%
Democrat

Tamika Hamilton, 45.33%
Republican
2019 (Nov. 6, 2018 election)

3rd Congressional District of California

John Raymond Garamendi, 58.07%
Democrat

Charlie Schaupp, 41.93%
Republican
2017 (Nov. 8, 2016 election)

3rd Congressional District of California

John Raymond Garamendi, 59.35%
Democrat

N. Eugene Cleek, 40.65%
Republican
2015 (Nov. 4, 2014 election)

3rd Congressional District of California

John Raymond Garamendi, 52.72%
Democrat

Daniels Russell Logue (Dan), 47.28%
Republican
2013 (Nov. 6, 2012 election)

3rd Congressional District of California

John Raymond Garamendi, 54.23%
Democrat

Kim Vann, 45.77%
Republican
2011 (Nov. 2, 2010 election)

10th Congressional District of California

John Raymond Garamendi, 58.84%
Democrat

Gary Clift, 37.86%
Republican

Jeremy Cloward, 3.30%
Green

Employment History

State of California (2007-2009)

Lieutenant Governor
State of California (2002-2006)

Insurance Commissioner
U.S. Department of the Interior (1995-1998)

Deputy Secretary
State of California (1991-1994)

Insurance Commissioner
Peace Corps (1966-1968)

Volunteer

Associated Organizations

Election campaign:

Garamendi for Congress (California)

Own leadership PAC:

Make It In America PAC

Awards

Eagle Scout (Boy Scouts of America)
Legislator of the Year Award (Agricultural Retailers Association) (May 2023)
Champion of Science Award (The Science Coalition) (Feb. 2021)
Distinguished Community Health Advocate Award (National Association of Community Health Centers Inc.) (2019)
Distinguished Community Health Advocate Award (National Association of Community Health Centers Inc.) (2018)
Spirit of Enterprise Award (U.S. Chamber of Commerce) (March 2017)
Salute to Congress Award (International Propeller Club of the United States) (2015)

Official Signature

Contact Information

Email, member official contact form

Office Addresses:

Main Office:

Address:	2004 Rayburn House Office Building Washington, DC 20515-0508
Phone:	202-225-1880
Fax:	202-225-5914

View Larger Map

» District Offices

Privately Financed Travel

23 trips taken between 2011 - 2024 costing $343,058

See map of trips

Trip Destinations:

Trip Sponsors:

» see more

Personal Financial Disclosures

Disclosures as a member:

Annual: 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2017 (Amendment), 2017 (Amendment), 2016, 2015, 2015 (Amendment), 2014, 2014 (Amendment), 2013, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2010 (Amendment)
Extension Letter: 2023, 2021, 2020
Stock transaction: 01/21/2022, 07/23/2017, 11/13/2014, 01/28/2014, 09/24/2013, 10/25/2012
» see more

Congressional Staff

Staff Turnover:

Turnover Index: 0.27
(House Average: 0.25)
» See more

Staff Salary Rate:

Office Median Annual Salary: $72,881.28
» See more

Staff Salaries Paid:

» See full staffer list

» view all salaries

Committees

House Armed Services Committee

House Armed Services Committee Readiness Subcommittee, Ranking Member

House Armed Services Committee Seapower and Projection Forces Subcommittee

House Armed Services Committee Strategic Forces Subcommittee

House Judiciary Committee

House Judiciary Committee Select Weaponization of the Federal Government Subcommittee

House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee

House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Subcommittee

House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Economic Development, Public Buildings and Emergency Management Subcommittee

House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Highways and Transit Subcommittee

House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Water Resources and Environment Subcommittee

Caucuses

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Leading up to a contested election, Rep. Ted Budd (R-N.C.) spent considerably more tax money this year than other member of the House, mostly to fund mailers to constituents. read more
GOP House members top Dems in 2016 official spending

Posted by Jock Friedly on Sept. 28, 2016
Eight of the top 10 spenders of taxpayer funds in the House of Representatives this year are Republicans, as GOP lawmakers spend disproportionate amounts of their office budgets on mass mailings ahead of the elections. read more
Congress reacts to Scalia's passing

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Congressional members and their staffers took to Twitter over the weekend to react to Justice Antonin Scalia's death and, in some cases, fire political barbs. read more
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Posted by Nate Hoffman on Jan. 6, 2016
Members of Congress and Hill staffers took to Twitter yesterday to vent after President Barack Obama announced his latest executive order concerning gun regulations. read more
Final GOP debate of 2015 dominates Congress's Twitter feeds

Posted by Nate Hoffman on Dec. 16, 2015
Not only is he the front runner in the polls, Donald Trump leads the number of Twitter mentions from Hill staffers and members after last night's debate but Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) is coming on strong. read more
Cotton's Israel trip proves costly - literally

Posted by Steve Shapiro on Oct. 16, 2015
A visit to Israel by Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) and his wife last month was the third most expensive privately financed trip a member has taken in the last 15 years. read more
In 2013, Congress took more trips from private interests than any year since 2007 reforms

Posted by Katie Barrows on Feb. 3, 2014
Lawmakers and their staff broke a record for taking the most privately funded trips since 2007, when reforms came into effect after a major lobbying scandal. read more
Posted by Garrett Snedeker on March 28, 2013
How did Rep. John Garamendi (D-Calif.) earn the distinction of participating in the most expensive privately financed trip in Congress in recorded history? When the setting is the world's newest country and safe travel carries a significant premium, the costs just pile up. read more
Israel jaunts set record for most costly trips

Posted by Daimon Eklund on Sept. 12, 2011
The American Israel Education Foundation has spent a record amount to send members of Congress and their staff to Israel in 2011, even before all the numbers are in. read more
Nearly 50 members have yet to file financial disclosures

Posted by LegiStorm on July 19, 2011
Half of the members of Congress who received extensions to file their personal financial disclosures at the May deadline have since filed, leaving nearly 50 lawmakers who have yet to file. read more
Many lawmakers granted financial disclosure extensions

Posted by LegiStorm on June 15, 2011
Twenty senators and 75 representatives requested an extension of the May deadline and did not have a 2011 personal financial disclosures in today's release. read more

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