John Garamendi

A fixture of state politics for three decades, Garamendi became the first elected California insurance commissioner in 1991 and served one term. He returned to the office in 2002, after Republican Chuck Quackenbush was forced out in scandal. The lieutenant governor position is considered a parking spot for governor, and Garamendi has made no secret about his ambitions. He ran unsuccessfully for the top spot in 1982 and 1994. Nevertheless, as the second banana, he said he would advocate for universal health care and higher education, and promote legislation combating global climate change.