San Francisco Chronicle
Just hours after he set off intense speculation about his political future, California Rep. John Garamendi issued a statement saying he will be “honored” to continuing representing his current congressional district, CD-3 — a move that puts to rest any suggestion he might run for the Contra Costa County seat to be vacated by Rep. George Miller, D-Martinez.
As Chronicle colleague Joe Garofoli and I reported earlier Tuesday, Garamendi, D-Walnut Grove (Sacramento County), set off a storm of political gossip when he issued a statement that appeared to leave open a run in Miller’s district.
His statement then: “It’s very early in the process and a lot needs to be considered. It’s been a great privilege working with Congressman Miller and fighting for Northern California’s water supply, worker’s rights, and other issues critical to the region.”
But apparently the veteran congressman has considered all the ramifications — and here’s the full statement we just received from him:
“After a day of working on critical issues in this district – including passing a Farm Bill, preserving health care access for seniors and impoverished Americans, raising the minimum wage, bringing more manufacturing jobs back to America, advancing the interests of service members and veterans, fighting for more water recycling and conservation investment during a severe drought, bridging the gender pay gap, and strengthening ports – it’s clear that the people of the 3rd Congressional District are counting on me to get things done. I’m not going to let them down. I will run for reelection in the 3rd Congressional District, and I will be honored to continue representing the people of this district for as long as I am able.”
We’ll have more on this seat and this race. And Garamendi’s decision.
Stay tuned.