John Garamendi, a member of the U.S. Congress representing California’s 8th district since 2009, recently shared several personal and political reflections on his Twitter account.
On July 31, 2025, Garamendi highlighted his Basque heritage and its influence on his cooking: “I love to cook, everything from simple stews to Basque-style whole sheep in 55-gallon oil drums. Food can be not only nourishing but also a way to celebrate our cultures. I learned to cook through my Basque heritage, and this weekend kicks off one of the largest Basque cultural https://t.co/a425VPf8nZ”.
Turning to economic issues on August 1, 2025, Garamendi commented on national employment figures: “Today’s job report is bad news. 30,000 less jobs than expected and unemployment rising is terrible for working Americans. This is Trump’s economy. Tariff wars, fewer jobs and higher prices for everyone. https://t.co/lSThwVJYu3”.
Later that same day, he addressed concerns about humanitarian aid: “The willful destruction of lifesaving food and contraceptives is a moral failure. As a former Peace Corps volunteer, I know how vital this aid is. Choosing ideology over compassion undermines America’s humanitarian legacy. https://t.co/aZgGZSNMli”.
Garamendi has served in Congress since replacing Ellen Tauscher in 2009 and previously held roles in both the California State Assembly and Senate (Fact 1; Fact 2). Born in Camp Blanding, Florida in 1945 and currently residing in Walnut Grove at age 78 (Fact 3), he holds degrees from the University of California, Berkeley and Harvard University (Fact 4).
