Garamendi becomes second Basque-American to serve in US Congress

Democratic Lieutenant Governor John Garamendi, grandson of Basque immigrants, won Northern California's 10th Congressional District special election Tuesday and is headed to Washington D.C. to serve in the House of Representatives.

The 63-year-old Democrat had built an insurmountable lead of 56 percent to 40 percent against Republican David Harmer in the special election to fill a vacant seat in the northern California congressional district, Basque-American website Euskal Kazeta reported on Wednesday.

"Today, the voters have spoken; they still have hope and still want change," Garamendi told a crowd of hundreds of enthusiastic supporters. "I will hit the ground running in Congress and look forward to casting a vote for comprehensive health care reform that includes the public option, helping to enact President Obama's vision for America."

Secretary of State Debra Bowen will likely make an informal certification in the election Wednesday. Garamendi has been alerted by Speaker Nancy Pelosi to prepare to be sworn in as early as Thursday. Congressman-elect Garamendi's congressional transition office tomorrow will advise media of the logistics, time and place of Garamendi's swearing in ceremony.

Should the Speaker confirm his swearing in on Thursday, Lieutenant Governor Garamendi intends to resign his seat Thursday morning.

Second Basque-American in Congress

John Garamendi will become the second Basque-American to serve in Congress and the first Basque-American to be elected to Congress from California. The other Basque-American in congress was Paul Laxalt, who also was a governor of Nevada.

Other prominent Basque-American politicians include Pete Cenarrusa, former Secretary of State of Idaho; Ben Ysursa, current Secretary of State of Idaho, and Dave Bieter, mayor of Boise.

Garamendi will arrive in Washington at a critical time for congressional Democrats. He'll be in a position to vote on legislation to reform the health-care system, a top priority of the Obama Administration.

Health care was one of the topics discussed by Garamendi and former US President Bill Clinton at a rally October 6 at the Basque Cultural Center in San Francisco.