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U.S. House · CA-08 · Democratic candidate · 2026

John Garamendi

Democratic candidate for California's 8th Congressional District

A Bay Area congressman and former California insurance commissioner focused on universal healthcare, American manufacturing, affordable homes and retirement security.

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Portrait of John Garamendi
DistrictCA-08
OfficeCongress
ElectionNov. 3, 2026

Policy priorities

Where John stands.

Officeholder position

Guarantee coverage through Medicare for All

  • He supports a single-payer Medicare for All system and preserving the ACA's protections for people with pre-existing conditions

Officeholder position

Use American-made goods in federal projects

  • He backs stronger domestic purchasing requirements so federal infrastructure spending supports American manufacturing and workers

Officeholder position

Fund affordable housing and supportive services

  • He supports expanding federal housing programs and homelessness services while addressing discrimination that blocks access to stable homes

Officeholder position

Include workers in the clean-energy transition

  • He backs clean-energy investment and access to new jobs for fossil-fuel workers and communities historically excluded from those opportunities

Officeholder proposal

Let borrowers refinance student loans

  • He supports refinancing student loans and lowering future interest costs, including delaying interest accrual for lower-income borrowers

Officeholder proposal

Base Social Security adjustments on retirees' costs

  • His Fair COLA proposal would change Social Security's inflation calculation to better reflect seniors' spending on healthcare and transportation

Record and background

Record & experience.

  1. 2022

    Accomplishment

    Helped lead enacted ocean-shipping reform

    He and Dusty Johnson led bipartisan House work on ocean-shipping reform. The resulting 2022 law strengthened oversight of carriers and protections against unfair shipping practices.

  2. 2007–2009

    Experience

    California lieutenant governor

    Served as California's lieutenant governor.

  3. 1995–1998

    Experience

    Deputy interior secretary

    Served as federal deputy secretary of the interior.

  4. 1966–1968

    Experience

    Peace Corps volunteer

    Volunteered with the Peace Corps in Ethiopia.

  • Experience

    California insurance commissioner

    Served as California's insurance commissioner.

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