John GaramendiIncumbent
Candidate for U.S. Representative, Congressional District 8
John Garamendi is the Democratic incumbent seeking re-election in California's 8th Congressional District. The seat reflects redistricting of the district he has represented since 2013. That district was previously CA-3. Before that, he held CA-10 from 2009 to 2013. He was born January 24, 1945. He earned a bachelor's degree from UC Berkeley in 1966. He earned an MBA from Harvard in 1970. He and his wife served as Peace Corps volunteers in Ethiopia. They live in Walnut Grove, California. The family has operated a cattle ranch there. His elected career began in the California State Assembly, 1974 to 1976. He served in the State Senate from 1976 to 1990. He served two non-consecutive terms as California Insurance Commissioner. Those terms ran 1991 to 1995 and 2003 to 2007. He was U.S. Deputy Secretary of the Interior from 1995 to 1998. He was California's Lieutenant Governor from 2007 to 2009. He has served in the U.S. House without a break since 2009. He sits on the House Armed Services Committee. He has led its Readiness Subcommittee as chair or ranking member. In July 2024, he disclosed a diagnosis of multiple myeloma, a blood cancer. He has continued to serve in Congress. Home: Walnut Grove, California. Occupation: U.S. Representative (incumbent). Background as a rancher and businessman. Prior office: incumbent U.S. Representative. California State Assembly, 1974-76. California State Senate, 1976-90. California Insurance Commissioner, 1991-95 and 2003-07. Deputy Secretary of the Interior, 1995-98. Lieutenant Governor of California, 2007-09. U.S. House: CA-10 2009-13 and CA-3 2013-2023, before redistricting to CA-8.
On the issues
- Economy & Jobs
Supports policies to rebuild domestic manufacturing and protect labor, describing himself as a leading voice for "Make It In America" policies.
Source → - Taxes & Cost of Living
Opposes Trump-era tariffs, arguing they raise consumer prices and hurt affordability for ordinary Americans.
Source → - Health & Health Care
Supports preserving and strengthening the ACA, favors expanding public coverage (including expanding Medicare's benefits), and supports Medicare drug price negotiation.
Source → - Immigration & Border
Supports a path to citizenship for undocumented immigrants and DREAMers, expansion of legal immigration/visa avenues, and protections against religious/national-origin discrimination in immigration decisions, while stating support for reforms that also address national security; has not detailed specific border-enforcement policy on his campaign or House pages.
Source → - Reproductive & Social Issues
Supports federal abortion rights protections and opposed the overturning of Roe v. Wade.
Source → - Education & Schools
Broadly supports increased investment in education as a driver of economic prosperity, but has not published specific positions on higher-ed tuition, student debt, or federal pre-K funding.
Source → - Public Safety & Policing
Supports federal gun violence prevention legislation.
Source → - Environment, Energy & Climate
Supports aggressive climate action, expansion of renewable energy and clean-energy jobs, opposes offshore drilling expansion, and prioritizes water infrastructure/Delta protection.
Source → - Foreign Policy & Defense
As a senior member of the House Armed Services Committee (Readiness Subcommittee), supports funding and reform for military readiness/servicemember benefits, backed expanded veterans' healthcare via the PACT Act, and champions the Jones Act for maritime/shipbuilding policy.
Source →
Profiles are compiled from the candidate’s own statements and public records. We never tell you how to vote.