One-time GOP Rival Endorses Garamendi

November 4, 2002

Former GOP Insurance Commissioner Candidate Wes Bannister recently endorsed Democratic candidate John Garamendi in next week’s election for Insurance Commissioner. Bannister, who lost to Garamendi in the 1990 general election for Insurance Commissioner, made history by becoming the first nominee of a major party to later endorse his opponent for the same office.

“I know that now is not the time to be training a new commissioner,” said Bannister. “There are several crises looming on the horizon in the insurance industry, and John Garamendi is a business Democrat with the experience to lead us through them.”

Bannister was the GOP nominee for Insurance Commissioner in 1990, losing to former Commissioner Garamendi. In 1994, he again sought the office, losing in the primary to now disgraced former Commissioner Chuck Quackenbush. Bannister currently serves on the Orange County Water District Board and the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California. Bannister unsuccessfully sought the GOP nomination for Insurance Commissioner this year.

Topics Numbers Politics

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