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Part – Newstatenabenn

Race for East Bay seat marred by misinformation
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Race for East Bay seat marred by misinformation

A rematch is underway for California’s 8th Congressional District, as Democrat John Garamendi, an eight-term incumbent, faces Republican Rudy Recile, a former U.S. Army major and former Department of Agriculture employee.

Candidates are vying to represent residents of Contra Costa and Solano counties, including the cities of Vallejo, Fairfield, Richmond and parts of Martinez.

Garamendi, 79, has enjoyed a political career spanning nearly five decades, beginning with his election to the California State Legislature in 1974. He then served four terms in the state Senate, two non-consecutive terms as insurance commissioner of California and was appointed Deputy Secretary of the Interior by President Bill Clinton in 1995.

Two years after being elected lieutenant governor in 2007, Garamendi won a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives, where he currently represents voters in Contra Costa and Solano counties. He has co-sponsored 66 enacted bills and has been a strong advocate for strengthening environmental protections, affordable health care, and American manufacturing.