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Mike Garcia (politician)

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This article is about the politician from California. For the politician from Colorado, see Michael Garcia (politician).
Mike Garcia
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from California's 25th district
Incumbent
Assumed office
May 19, 2020
Preceded byKatie Hill
Personal details
Born
Michael Garcia

(1976-04-24) April 24, 1976 (age 48)
Santa Clarita, California, U.S.
Political partyRepublican
SpouseRebecca Garcia
Children2
EducationUnited States Naval Academy (BS)
Georgetown University (MA)
WebsiteHouse website
Military service
Allegiance United States
Branch/service United States Navy
Years of service1999–2009 (Active)
2009–2012 (Reserve)[1]
Battles/warsIraq War

Michael Garcia (born April 24, 1976) is an American politician and former United States Navy pilot serving in the United States House of Representatives as a member of the Republican Party from California's 25th congressional district.

Garcia was born in Santa Clarita, California, and educated at Saugus High School, United States Naval Academy, and the Georgetown University. He served in the United States Navy from 1998 to 2012, and participated in the Iraq War. Following his active duty in the navy he worked at Raytheon Intelligence & Space. In 2020, Garcia defeated Democratic nominee Christy Smith twice, in a special election held to fill the vacancy caused by Representative Katie Hill's resignation and again in the general election.

Early life and education

Garcia was born on April 24, 1976, in Santa Clarita, California, to parents who had immigrated from Mexico in 1959. In 1994, he graduated from Saugus High School and earned a Bachelor of Science in political science from the United States Naval Academy after being nominated by Representative Buck McKeon. In 1998, he earned a Master of Arts in national security policy studies from Georgetown University.[2][3]

Military

Garcia joined the United States Navy in May 1998, and was sent to flight school at Naval Air Station Pensacola. He was deployed as an F/A-18 pilot from the USS Nimitz. During the 2003 invasion of Iraq, he participated in over thirty combat missions before being honorably discharged.[4]

Civilian career

From 2009 to 2018, Garcia worked as a business development manager at Raytheon Intelligence & Space, one of four business segments of Raytheon Technologies.[5]

United States House of Representatives

Elections

2020 special

See also: 2020 California's 25th congressional district special election
Mike Garcia's congressional campaign logo

In the 2018 election in California's 25th congressional district, Democrat Katie Hill defeated incumbent Representative Steve Knight.[6] In April 2019, Garcia announced that he would challenge Hill in the 2020 election.[7] On November 3, 2019, Hill resigned from Congress due to a scandal involving her relationship with a campaign staffer.[8] Governor Gavin Newsom issued a proclamation ordering a special election to fill the vacancy caused by Hill's resignation.[9]

On March 3, 2020, Garcia placed second in the nonpartisan blanket primary ahead of former Representative Steve Knight and behind Christy Smith, a member of the California State Assembly. Garcia was endorsed by the Club for Growth and the Susan B. Anthony List.[10][11]

Garcia campaigned on strengthening the United States military and cutting taxes to improve the economy, specifically in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.[12][13] He also campaigned against the Democratic leadership in the California state government.[14] His platform included promises to "defeat socialism" and "build the wall."[15] Garcia said he was in favor of "securing and better surveillance of our borders."[16]

On May 12, 2020, Garcia defeated Smith in the special election. She officially conceded the race the next day, but affirmed her intention to run against Garcia in the November general election for a full term in Congress.[17] Garcia's victory marked the first time since 1998 that a Republican flipped a California congressional district held by a Democrat; in 1998, Doug Ose won in the 3rd congressional district.[18] He is also the first Hispanic Republican representative to serve from California since Romualdo Pacheco left office in 1883, after representing the 4th congressional district.[19]

2020

See also: 2020 United States House of Representatives elections in California § District 25

In the November 2020 general election, Garcia faced Smith in a rematch. In August 2020, Garcia was listed as one of the 10-most vulnerable House members by Roll Call.[20] Votes were still being counted a week after the election, though Smith held a lead.[21] As of November 21, 2020, Garcia held a lead of about 400 votes over Smith—169,060 (50.1%) to 168,660 (49.9%).[22] Smith conceded to Garcia on November 30, 2020. Garcia raised $3 million more than Smith.[23]

Tenure

Garcia was sworn into office on May 19, 2020.[24]

Committee assignments

Political positions

Abortion

According to California Catholic Daily, Garcia opposes abortion and does not support the federal funding of Planned Parenthood.[26] After winning the special election, Garcia signed a petition to bring the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act to the floor of the House of Representatives for a vote.[27]

Defense

According to Garcia's campaign website, he supports passing a $750 billion budget for the United States Department of Defense.[28]

Healthcare

Garcia has advocated for repealing the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. During his campaign, Garcia stated that he "was not a fan of Medicaid."[29]

Immigration

Garcia supports the construction of a wall along the Mexico–United States border.[30] Garcia is in favor of increasing surveillance at the border.[16]

COVID-19

During a virtual debate with Christy Smith prior to the special election, Garcia stated that financial aid to small businesses should be administered through cities and local chambers of commerce.[31]

Garcia has called on the United States House Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Crisis to investigate California Governor Gavin Newsom's policy on nursing homes during the pandemic.[32] Garcia, along with other Republican representatives, claimed that Newsom had ignored guidance provided by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.[33]

Term limits

Garcia supports congressional term limits.[34]

Personal life

Garcia's wife, Rebecca Garcia, is an interior designer. They have two sons.[35] Garcia and his family live in Santa Clarita, California.[36]

Electoral history

2020 California's 25th congressional district special election[37]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Christy Smith 58,563 36.2%
Republican Mike Garcia 41,169 25.4%
Republican Steve Knight 27,799 17.2%
Democratic Cenk Uygur 10,609 6.6%
Democratic Aníbal Valdez-Ortega 7,368 4.6%
Republican Courtney Lackey 3,072 1.9%
Democratic Robert Cooper III 2,962 1.8%
Republican David Lozano 2,758 1.7%
Republican Daniel Mercuri 2,533 1.6%
Republican Kenneth Jenks 2,528 1.6%
Democratic Getro F. Elize 1,414 0.9%
Democratic David Rudnick 1,085 0.7%
Total votes 161,860 100%
2020 California's 25th congressional district special election runoff[38]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Mike Garcia 95,088 54.9%
Democratic Christy Smith 78,234 45.1%
Total votes 173,322 100%
Republican gain from Democratic

See also

References

  1. ^ "Biographical Directory of the U.S. Congress - Retro Member details". bioguideretro.congress.gov.
  2. ^ "Former fighter pilot Mike Garcia sets his sights on Congress". April 28, 2019. Archived from the original on May 19, 2020.
  3. ^ "Mike Garcia's Biography". Archived from the original on May 19, 2020.
  4. ^ "Mike Garcia's Biography". Archived from the original on May 20, 2020.
  5. ^ Pocock, Chris. "Raytheon: Stealth Means More Than Low RCS". Aviation International News.
  6. ^ "Democrat Katie Hill is the apparent winner in key California House race, will unseat GOP Rep. Steve Knight: NBC News". November 8, 2018. Archived from the original on May 20, 2020.
  7. ^ "Republican fighter pilot to challenge freshman Dem in key California race". April 10, 2019. Archived from the original on May 19, 2020. {{cite news}}: |archive-date= / |archive-url= timestamp mismatch; May 20, 2020 suggested (help)
  8. ^ "Rep. Katie Hill to resign amid allegations of inappropriate relationships with staffers". October 27, 2019. Archived from the original on May 20, 2020.
  9. ^ "Governor Newsom Issues Proclamations Declaring Special Elections for 25th Congressional District and 28th Senate District". November 15, 2019. Archived from the original on May 20, 2020.
  10. ^ "Club for Growth endorsement". April 8, 2020. Archived from the original on May 20, 2020.
  11. ^ "SBA List Candidate Fund Endorses Mike Garcia for Congress in CA-25". April 24, 2020. Archived from the original on May 20, 2020.
  12. ^ "Mike Garcia". Ballotpedia. Middleton, Wisconsin: Lucy Burns Institute. Retrieved May 16, 2020.
  13. ^ Conant, Caitlin (May 12, 2020). "2020 Daily Trail Markers: Could Mike Garcia be the first Republican to flip a California House seat since 1998?". CBS News. New York, New York. Retrieved May 17, 2020.
  14. ^ Cillizza, Chris (May 11, 2020). "Republicans are on the verge of winning a House seat in 1 of the most Democratic states". CNN. Atlanta, Georgia. Retrieved May 16, 2020.
  15. ^ "Republicans win back California House seat they lost in 2018 after Democrat concedes". WXII. 2020-05-14. Retrieved 2020-07-16.
  16. ^ a b "Allan Favish | Will GOP Hopefuls Enforce Border?". signalscv.com. 2019-11-06. Retrieved 2020-07-16.
  17. ^ "GOP wins special election in California after Democrat concedes". May 13, 2020. Archived from the original on May 20, 2020.
  18. ^ "House Races in California and Nebraska Test Mail-in Voting". May 13, 2020. Archived from the original on May 20, 2020.
  19. ^ "Republican flips California congressional seat. What does that mean for November?". May 13, 2020. Archived from the original on May 20, 2020.
  20. ^ "2020 elections: Garcia, Katko, Bacon join most vulnerable list in the House". Roll Call. Retrieved 2020-09-19.
  21. ^ "2020 elections".
  22. ^ U.S. House of Representatives District 25 - Districtwide Results, California Secretary of State. Retrieved November 21, 2020.
  23. ^ Denkmann, Libby. Four Lessons From The Southern California House Seats Republicans Reclaimed In 2020, KPCC, 89.3 FM, Southern California Public Radio, Pasadena, California, December 3, 2020. Retrieved December 4, 2020.
  24. ^ Khalil, Joe (May 19, 2020). "Republican Mike Garcia sworn in as California's newest member of Congress". WHNT Channel 19. Huntsville, Alabama. Retrieved May 20, 2020.
  25. ^ a b "Committees". Representative Mike Garcia. December 13, 2012.
  26. ^ Holman, Jim (2020-04-15). "California pro-lifers have good chance at ballot next month". California Catholic Daily. Retrieved 2020-09-18.
  27. ^ Holman, Jim (2020-05-22). "Newly elected Mike Garcia fulfills pro-life hope". California Catholic Daily. Retrieved 2020-07-16.
  28. ^ "Who is Mike Garcia? Chapter 5 | The Businessman". Mike Garcia for Congress. 2020-01-22. Retrieved 2020-07-16.
  29. ^ "Republican Mike Garcia sworn in to serve remainder of former Rep. Katie Hill's term". Los Angeles Times. 2020-05-19. Retrieved 2020-07-16.
  30. ^ "Republicans win back California House seat they lost in 2018 after Democrat concedes". WXII. 2020-05-14. Retrieved 2020-07-16.
  31. ^ Kisken, Tom. "Congressional candidates Smith, Garcia face off on taxes, COVID aid before May special election". Ventura County Star. Retrieved 2020-07-16.
  32. ^ "COVID-19: Garcia stands behind call to investigate Newsom's handling of nursing homes". signalscv.com. 2020-06-25. Retrieved 2020-07-16.
  33. ^ Brown, Michael (2020-06-24). "Mike Garcia Supports Investigation Of Gavin Newsom Over COVID-19 Nursing Home Policy". Hometown Station | KHTS FM 98.1 & AM 1220. Retrieved 2020-07-16.
  34. ^ "Mike Garcia Sets Sights on November After Special Election Win". spectrumnews1.com. Retrieved 2020-07-16.
  35. ^ Blood, Michael (May 14, 2020). "Trump gets ally as ex-Navy pilot wins California House seat". Carolina Coast Online. Morehead City, North Carolina. Retrieved May 16, 2020.
  36. ^ "Republican Mike Garcia, of Santa Clarita, is sworn in to Congress after special-election win". Daily News. 2020-05-19. Retrieved 2020-07-16.
  37. ^ "Final Official Election Results - Congressional District 25". March 3, 2020. Retrieved April 22, 2020.
  38. ^ "California Special Election Results: 25th Congressional District". New York Times. New York, New York. May 13, 2020. Retrieved May 14, 2020.
U.S. House of Representatives
Preceded by Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from California's 25th congressional district
2020-present 		Incumbent
U.S. order of precedence (ceremonial)
Preceded by United States Representatives by seniority
428th 		Succeeded by
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