Garamendi, a veteran officeholder, wasted no time in setting out what he admitted was an ambitious agenda for the race. He said he would revive the state's economy by improving schools and promoting mass transit, push for a universal, single-payer health care system and adopt stronger controls on greenhouse gases and tougher protections for the state's natural resources. "If we really believe in California, then we must fight for it. I am prepared to lead that fight," Garamendi said. "I know how to bring people to the table and solve problems." Garamendi said there could be four or five other party candidates in the race, which he believes will be good news for his campaign. His experience at running in statewide campaigns will make a difference, he said. "In a crowded race like I hope we will have, I'm well-positioned to win," he said. "Twenty-two months is plenty of time to put together a successful campaign." California Lt. Governer John Garamendi served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Ethiopia in the 1960's.
Lt. Governor John Garamendi is first to jump into California governor's race
Garamendi to run for governor
John Wildermuth, Chronicle Staff Writer
Friday, August 1, 2008
(07-31) 18:27 PDT SACRAMENTO -- Hoping his third time will be the charm, Lt. Gov. John Garamendi Thursday became the first Democrat to jump into the 2010 governor's race, vowing to provide a new vision for the state.
"I know the state and I know its problems," said Garamendi, 63, who lost to Los Angeles Mayor Tom Bradley in the 1982 Democratic gubernatorial primary and finished second to state Treasurer Kathleen Brown in the 1994 primary. "It's time for a governor who's a workhorse."
With Republican Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger termed out of office in 2010, Democrats are lining up to replace him.
San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom already has put together an exploratory committee for governor and Attorney General and former Gov. Jerry Brown has all but announced that he's running for a third term, 28 years after his second term ended.
Garamendi, a veteran officeholder, wasted no time in setting out what he admitted was an ambitious agenda for the race. He said he would revive the state's economy by improving schools and promoting mass transit, push for a universal, single-payer health care system and adopt stronger controls on greenhouse gases and tougher protections for the state's natural resources.
"If we really believe in California, then we must fight for it. I am prepared to lead that fight," Garamendi said. "I know how to bring people to the table and solve problems."
He also slammed Schwarzenegger's handling of the current budget crisis, especially the governor's decision to drastically slash the pay of an estimated 200,000 state workers.
"California is not a movie set and gridlock is not acceptable," the lieutenant governor said. "This is about real people and they are hurting."
Garamendi said that if he is governor, "No one will leave the Capitol building until there's a budget on my desk. By God, no one goes on vacation until the budget is fixed."
His announcement on the steps of the state Capitol came as no surprise. He has said for months that he had no intention of running for re-election and was interested in making a third run for the state's top office.
The former UC Berkeley football star was first elected to the state Legislature in 1974 and won two terms as state insurance commissioner before being elected as lieutenant governor in 2006. An MBA from the Harvard Business School, Garamendi also spent two years as a Peace Corps volunteer in Ethiopia and served as deputy secretary of the Interior Department in President Bill Clinton's administration.
"The state has changed dramatically" since he last ran for governor, Garamendi said in a telephone conference with reporters. "I've grown, I've learned and I'm very confident."
With Schwarzenegger still in office, Republicans have been slower to make moves toward his job. Former San Jose Rep. Tom Campbell has taken the first steps toward running in 2010, while Insurance Commissioner Steve Poizner and former eBay CEO Meg Whitman are considered possible candidates.
In addition to Brown and Newsom, possible Democratic candidates include Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, state Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O'Connell, former state Controller Steve Westly and current state Treasurer Bill Lockyer.
Garamendi said there could be four or five other party candidates in the race, which he believes will be good news for his campaign. His experience at running in statewide campaigns will make a difference, he said.
"In a crowded race like I hope we will have, I'm well-positioned to win," he said. "Twenty-two months is plenty of time to put together a successful campaign."
E-mail John Wildermuth at jwildermuth@sfchronicle.com.
