John Garamendi was raised on his family’s ranch in Mokelumne Hill, California. He received his B.A. in business from UC Berkeley where he was a Wheeler Scholar, second team All America offensive guard, two-time all Pacific Coast Conference team, and the 1964 West Coast heavy weight wrestling champion. He also holds an MBA from Harvard Business School. He and his wife Patti served in the Peace Corps in Ethiopia before returning to the U.S and settling down in Walnut Grove, where they raised six children. They now have 14 grandchildren and continue to raise Angus cattle on their ranch and grow pears in their Delta orchard in Walnut Grove.
The 3rd Congressional District is home to Travis AFB, the largest air mobility organization in the Air Force, and Beale AFB, which is located in Yuba County and performs a vital intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) mission.
As Chair of the Armed Services Subcommittee on Readiness, Congressman Garamendi is instrumental in crafting the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), an annual bill that sets the policy for our nation's armed forces. Garamendi ensures that each year, the NDAA supports our men and women in uniform, advances America’s interests around the world, and supports the critical missions at both Travis and Beale AFBs.
Garamendi is honored to represent the thousands of veterans, military personnel, and their families who reside in the district. He has a 100% pro-veterans record and will continue fighting for those who have sacrificed so much in defense of our nation.