By ROY MORLIDGE
Beat Staff Writer

Last year, Lieutenant Governor John Garamendi was the first Democrat to announce that he was planning to run for Governor of California. But with the possibility that Rep. Ellen Tauscher (D) will be going to work for Obama Administration, he has decided to return to Washington D.C. by running for her seat in Congress.

Tauscher, who has represented California’s 10^th Congressional District since being elected in 1996, has been nominated to a position in the State Department as Undersecretary of State for Arms Control and International Security. The United States Senate has yet to confirm her appointment.

Making his announcement on April 22^nd, the John Garamendi brings with him plenty of experience in state politics; having previously served in both the State Assembly and Senate and twice as State Insurance Commissioner. In addition he is also no stranger to Washington, having served as Deputy Interior Secretary from 1995 until 1998.

When you look at it, his entry into the Congressional race is actually a pretty smart move on Garamendi’s part. Currently in his gubernatorial campaign, Garamendi lags far behind more visible Democratic candidates such as Attorney General Jerry Brown and San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom. But by choosing to run for Congress, name recognition and his political history allow him the opportunity of easily becoming a front runner.

However he is entering a race which has already seen many possible contenders, the front runner among them being State Senator Mark DeSaulnier (D) who has already picked up endorsements from Tauscher and Rep. George Miller (D). Another strong comes in the form of State Assemblywoman Joan Buchanan (D), who announced her intentions to run for the seat the day after the Lieutenant Governor.

While there are many who support Garamendi’s decision to run for Congress, not every supporter is in agreement as to which district he should be campaigning for. Some Democratic supporters have started an online petition calling for the Lieutenant Governor to challenge Rep. Dan Lungren (R) for the 3^rd Congressional District seat in the 2010 elections. As a result of the Congressional redistricting from 2000, Garamendi’s home in Walnut Grove lies directly on the border between the 10^th and 3^rd Districts.

“John Garamendi is the absolute best person to lead the battle for California’s 3^rd Congressional District,” states the Draft John Garamendi website. “He has deep roots in the district – he was born and raised in Mokelumne Hill, owns a ranch there, and was elected by the voters in the district to serve in the California state legislature from 1974 to 1990.”

But what about the Garamendi for Governor campaign? For many it would appear that the gubernatorial run is over, but I wouldn’t forget about it just yet as there are two possibilities that could keep that campaign alive.

First possibility: Garamendi does not win the special election for the 10^th Congressional election or Rep. Ellen Tauscher is not confirmed by the Senate. Well then there’s nothing stopping Garamendi from resuming his gubernatorial campaign.

Second possibility: Garamendi does win the special election. A seat in Congress would serve as a great stepping-stone from which to mount a campaign for Governor. Even if he does choose not to run for governor in 2010, it is still hard to believe that he wont consider mounting another campaign for the job during another election year.

With Tauscher expected to give up her seat in the coming months for her new job in Washington, it will be the special election for the 10th Congressional District and not the gubernatorial race that will be the main focus of Garamendi’s efforts. However if he were successful in being elected, it would bring up yet another equally important question that could affect not only California, but the 2010 gubernatorial race as well . . . who will be appointed the next Lieutenant Governor?

E-mail Roy Morlidge at californiabeat@gmail.com. Stay up-to-date with The Political Beat. Join the California Beat on Facebook, and get breaking news headlines, story alerts and previews when you follow us on Twitter.