Congressman John Garamendi is a loyal advocate for Lake County in Congress. He brings a diverse array of public service experience to the table.

Garamendi spent his days as insurance commissioner fighting for consumers, saving policy owners over $22 billion in premium costs. I received a significant rebate from my vehicle insurance company thanks to John Garamendi. 

As majority leader of the State Senate, Garamendi championed legislation to improve health care access to rural communities.

Garamendi secured resources to clean up our lake and combat invasive species. Garamendi knows how important our lake is to our economy, and he’s helped secure the resources to protect it.

We’ve experienced four wildfires in 15 months, and have received Federal Emergency Management Agency assistance just once.

Garamendi held community forums and toured the fire sites with local representatives to learn our concerns and needs. He secured over $2 million in SBA loans to help homeowners and small business owners alike rebuild after the Clayton fire.

He also is introducing legislation that will require FEMA disaster relief assistance for communities that have experienced at least four disasters within 15 months.

Garamendi has spent his time in Congress fighting against corruption on Wall Street and working to establish a firewall between investment and consumer banking. He’s a strong opponent of the twin tunnels, and has authored a counter proposal that prioritizes new water storage, conservation and levee restoration over twin tunnel construction.

The community speaks and Garamendi listens. I have met and spoken with him at several local town hall meetings. He is knowledgeable, thoughtful and has good ideas on every issue I asked him about including water shortage, Clear Lake, our economy and jobs. I’m thankful to have him represent me.

On Nov. 8, I hope you’ll join me in voting Garamendi for Congress, so that Lake County can continue to have a strong voice for our working families and community in Congress.

James Evans lives in Clearlake Oaks, Calif.