EthioBlog

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 1, 2006

ETHIOPIAN AMERICANS STAND BEHIND JOHN GARAMENDI, FORMER PEACE CORPS
VOLUNTEER

San Francisco, CA: The Ethiopian-American community in California is rallying behind Insurance Commissioner John Garamendi’s candidacy for Lieutenant Governor and is attending events on his behalf throughout the state. The election takes place on November 7th, and all Ethiopian Americans are being contacted by community leaders, and are being asked to support Garamendi. John Garamendi, and his wife, Patti, served in the Peace Corps in Ethiopia following their graduation from the University of California at Berkeley in 1966. They taught middle school in Ilubabor in a remote rain forest in the western region of Ethiopia.

According to Neb Alemu, "John Garamendi has been a good friend and mentor to many Ethiopian-Americans all over the United States. We are here for him as he has been there for us for over 40 years."

The race between Insurance Commissioner John Garamendi and State Senator Tom McClintock is now a virtual tie. Alemu believes that the deep relationships that Garamendi has forged with communities such as his will be the key to motivating Californians throughout the state to get out and vote and push Garamendi into the victory column. "It's all about relationships, after all, and John Garamendi has proven time and again, that he can be trusted to work for the good of every community, not just those who have the most power or loudest voice."