News

According to on-line Basque newspaper EuskalKazeta.com, California Lieutenant Governor, John Garamendi - one of the States'' most well-known Basque-American politicians - will appear today at the Basque Cultural Center in San Francisco in a rally in support of healthcare reform, accompanied by none other than Former US President, Bill Clinton.

Garamendi, the grandson of Basque immigrants, is one of the States'' most well-known Basque-American politicians. The visit is part of his campaign to be elected to US Congress in his California district, which covers an area stretching from Sacramento County to Alameda County in the eastern part of San Francisco. He previously served under the Clinton Administration as a deputy secretary of the interior.

Clinton and Garamendi gave short notice to the Basque Cultural Center, explained its President Philippe Acheritogaray, speaking with Euskal Kazeta, "but we''re trying to get the word out." The Center invited Garamendi to join in its 25th anniversary celebrations in 2007, and in 2008 he visited again with former lehendarkari Juan Jose Ibarretxe.

On Garamendi''s campaign website, visitors can see an invitation to Tuesday''s rally. In a special congregational election against 13 candidates held at the beginning of September, Garamendi took 26% of votes and according to Euskal Kazeta is the favorite among political observers to win November''s election, given that the district is strongly democratic.

Garamendi has been Lieutenant Governor of California since January 2007 following 32 years in politics. His grandparents ran hotels in Nevada and Stockton. He lives on a large ranch in Northern California; he frequently holds barbecues where the Ikurriña flies high alongside Old Glory and hundreds of guests enjoy chorizo accompanied by Basque music and dancing.