Free Republic

It may be premature for Lt. Gov. John Garamendi to start printing new business cards, but he could be placing an order for them soon. The well-known 64-year-old lawmaker and rancher from Walnut Grove triumphed over his Democratic competitors in Tuesday's special 10th Congressional District primary. "I have represented every part of this district for the past 10-1/2 years," Garamendi said via telephone over the din of his campaign party in Walnut Creek late Tuesday. "The people of this district understood that I knew the issues that they cared about and that I could be a good and forceful representative."...

Residents of the 10th Congressional District have a rare chance next month to select a new representative. The district has been without a vote in the Capitol since June 26, when former Democratic Rep. Ellen Tauscher resigned to take a post as undersecretary for Arms Control and International Security with the U.S. State Department. Voters faced with this big decision have their work cut out for them. Drawn by the infrequent opportunity to run for an open Congressional seat, 14 candidates will compete in the Sept. 1 special primary election for either an outright win or a spot as their...