John Garamendi

Democrat

Incumbent

John Garamendi

CA-08 primary: first place

$17.1K

JUN 6, 2026

Primary Election

Party selects its nominee.

Overview

Positions

LiberalConservative

Economy & Taxes

Supports raising revenue by closing tax loopholes for wealthy individuals and corporations and opposes large tax cuts for the highest earners; backs policies to simplify filing and reduce costs for ordinary taxpayers. Advocates using tax policy to fund expanded government investments (for example climate and domestic programs) while criticizing Republican tax cuts as benefiting the wealthy.

Healthcare

Supports Medicare-for-All / single-payer and considers healthcare a basic human right; also supports measures to expand coverage such as a national public option and strengthening the ACA. Has cosponsored federal legislation to establish an improved Medicare-for-All program.

Immigration & Border

Supports protecting asylum access and limits on militarization and diversion of military resources to immigration enforcement, while opposing additional ICE funding and calling for humane treatment of migrants. Advocates for immigration system reforms and oversight of enforcement practices rather than expansion of enforcement-only measures.

Abortion & Reproductive Rights

Supports protecting and expanding access to abortion and has cosponsored legislation to codify Roe v. Wade into federal law. Advocates defending reproductive rights and has participated in events with reproductive-health organizations.

Climate & Energy

Supports federal clean energy investments and climate legislation while promoting renewable energy deployment (geothermal, offshore wind, hydrogen) and wildfire/forest management measures; backs clean energy tax credits and infrastructure for EV charging and transmission. Also sponsors bipartisan bills to expand renewable generation and biomass/geothermal as part of energy and forest management solutions.

Public Safety & Guns

Supports banning assault weapons, expanding background checks, and other gun-violence prevention measures; has sponsored and advocated for legislation to keep military-style weapons off civilian streets and implement commonsense regulations. Has a long record of supporting extreme-risk (red flag) measures, closing loopholes, and holding manufacturers/accountable.

News

AINews Summary

Last updatedJul 15, 2026

John Garamendi is in the news because he is leading early returns in California’s newly formed 8th Congressional District primary, with 54% of the vote counted so far. He said he plans to keep campaigning into the general election. He is also being mentioned as one of several long-serving California House Democrats facing serious primary challenges this cycle.

garamendi.house.gov+40

Articles

TMThe Mercury News2 months ago