Garamendi to get out before others get in

April 20, 8:41 AMCalifornia Statehouse ExaminerScott Sabatini

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Lt. Gov. John Garamendi with wife Patty./AP

Following the resignation of his top campaign advisor earlier this month, Lt. Gov. John Garamendi has shifted his focus to a seat on the House of Representatives, in the 10th Congressional District.

“A lot of you have told me that this congressional district is where I should run, that I have the experience and the background to have an impact in Washington, D.C., Garamendi said at public event last week. “So, we’re considering it. I’d like to seriously consider it, too.”

Though not offering any sources, Capitol Weekly reported that Garamendi had made up his mind to run for the vacant East Bay seat last held by Ellen Tauscher.

Capitol Weekly points out that Garamendi’s name recognition would dwarf would be opponents in a low-turn out election. Ironically, if he were to win, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger would appoint his successor, giving a Republican the likely role as incumbent in the 2010 election.

Schwarzenegger took Garamendi to the woodshed after the lieutenant governor offered harsh criticism of the politically compromised budget plan touted by the governor. Following the budget’s passage through the Legislature, Schwarzenegger cut Garamendi’s budget by more than half.

It will be interesting to see if some of that budget is restored by the governor, should he get to replace Garamendi with his own appointee.

Garamendi didn’t pose a serious threat to any of the leading Democratic candidates, despite a lengthy political resume. The Field Poll never showed him with more than single-digit support. Despite his early entry into the race, both Villaraigosa and Newsom, who have not yet entered have surged past him.

But, Garamendi did have the strongest ties to President Obama, and the longer he stayed in the race, the less other candidates can jockey for the support, and the money of wealthy Obama backers in a state he enjoys a nearly two-thirds approval rate.
 

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