Mike Garcia | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Official portrait, 2020 | |
| Member of theU.S. House of Representatives fromCalifornia | |
| In office May 19, 2020 – January 3, 2025 | |
| Preceded by | Katie Hill |
| Succeeded by | George Whitesides |
| Constituency | 25th district (2020–2023) 27th district (2023–2025) |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Michael Joseph Garcia (1976-04-24)April 24, 1976 (age 49) Los Angeles,California, U.S. |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse | |
| Children | 2 |
| Education | United States Naval Academy (BS) Georgetown University (MA) |
| Military service | |
| Branch/service | United States Navy |
| Years of service | 1998–2009 (active) 2009–2012 (reserve)[1] |
| Rank | Lieutenant Commander |
| Battles/wars | Iraq War |
Michael Joseph Garcia[2] (born April 24, 1976)[3] is an American politician and formerUnited States Navy pilot who served as theU.S. representative forCalifornia's 27th congressional district from 2020 to 2025. ARepublican, he was first elected in aMay 2020 special election and went on to win a full term in thegeneral election.
Garcia was educated at theUnited States Naval Academy, andGeorgetown University. He served in theU.S. Navy from 1998 to 2012, participating in multiple combat missions during theIraq War. Following his active duty in the Navy he worked atRaytheon Intelligence & Space.
Garcia has faced and defeatedDemocratic nomineeChristy Smith in all three of his successful elections: the 2020 special election held to fill the vacancy caused by RepresentativeKatie Hill's resignation; the2020 general election, when he won his first full term; and the2022 general election, when he won his second term. Garcia had initially representedCalifornia's 25th congressional district, but the district was renumbered as the27th district following the2020 redistricting cycle.
Garcia ran for re-election to a third full term in 2024 and was defeated in the general election by Democratic challengerGeorge T. Whitesides.
Mike Garcia was born on April 24, 1976, inGranada Hills, California, a suburb of Los Angeles, to parents who had immigrated fromMexico in 1959.[4][5] In 1994, he graduated fromSaugus High School and earned aBachelor of Science in political science, graduating in the top 3% of his class, from theUnited States Naval Academy after being nominated by RepresentativeBuck McKeon.[6] In 1998, he earned aMaster of Arts innational security policy studies fromGeorgetown University.[7][8]
Garcia was commissioned an ensign in theUnited States Navy in May 1998 following his graduation from the U.S. Naval Academy and was sent to flight school atNaval Air Station Pensacola. He was deployed as anF/A-18 aviator from theUSSNimitz. During the2003 invasion of Iraq, he participated in over 30 combat missions.[9] Garcia worked as abusiness development manager atRaytheon Intelligence, Information and Services, one of four business segments ofRaytheon.[10]
In the2018 election inCalifornia's 25th congressional district, DemocratKatie Hill defeated incumbent RepresentativeSteve Knight.[11] In April 2019, Garcia announced that he would challenge Hill in the 2020 election.[12] On November 3, 2019, Hill resigned from Congress due to a scandal involving her relationship with a campaign staffer.[13] GovernorGavin Newsom ordered a special election to fill the vacancy caused by Hill's resignation.[14]
Garcia placed second in thenonpartisan blanket primary on March 3, 2020, ahead of former RepresentativeSteve Knight and behindChristy Smith, a member of theCalifornia State Assembly. Garcia was endorsed by theClub for Growth and theSusan B. Anthony List.[15][16]
Garcia campaigned on strengthening the United Statesmilitary andcutting taxes to improve theeconomy, specifically in response to theCOVID-19 pandemic.[17][18] He also campaigned against the Democratic leadership in theCalifornia state government.[19] His platform included promises to "defeat socialism" and "build the wall."[20] Garcia said he was in favor of "securing and better surveillance of our borders."[21]
On May 12, 2020, Garcia defeated Smith in the special election in an upset. 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.[22] Garcia's victory marked the first time since 1998 that a Republican flipped a California congressional district held by aDemocrat; in 1998,Doug Ose won in the3rd congressional district.[23] He is also the first Hispanic Republican representative to serve from California sinceRomualdo Pacheco left office in 1883, after representing the4th congressional district.[24]
In the November general election, Garcia faced Smith in a rematch. In August, Garcia was listed as one of the 10 most vulnerable House members byRoll Call.[25] Votes were still being counted a week after the election, though Smith held a lead.[26] Smith conceded to Garcia on November 30, 2020. Garcia raised $3 million more than Smith.[27] Garcia won by only 333 votes.[28]
Garcia ran for reelection in what is nowCalifornia's 27th congressional district.[29] He defeated Christy Smith again in the November 8, 2022, general election.[30]
Garcia ran for re-election to a third term in the 2024 election to the US House of Representatives. In the election, he faced Democratic challengerGeorge T. Whitesides, a businessman and former CEO of Virgin Galactic and Chief of Staff of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration under AdministratorCharles Bolden. The race was considered a tossup by multiple political organizations, including theCook Political Report andSabato's crystal ball.[31] Whitesides defeated Garcia for reelection in the November 5 general election. Garcia conceded the election to Whitesides on November 11, 2024, and the race was called by multiple news outlets and organizations later that day.[32]
Garcia was sworn into office on May 19, 2020.[33]
In January 2021, hevoted to object to Congress'scertification of the states' Electoral College votes.[34]
On October 5, 2023, Garcia signed a letter to theHouse Agriculture Committee along with 15 House Republicans opposing the inclusion of the Ending Agricultural Trade Suppression (EATS) Act in the 2023farm bill. The EATS Act, introduced in response to the California farmanimal welfare lawProposition 12, would have overturned state and localanimal welfare laws restricting the sale of agricultural goods from animals raised inbattery cages,gestation crates, andveal crates. The letter argued that the legislation would underminestates' rights and cede control over U.S. agricultural policy to the Chinese-owned pork producerWH Group and its subsidiarySmithfield Foods.[35][36]
In March 2024, Garcia was one of 10 House Republicans who signed a letter to theHouse Agriculture Committee opposing the inclusion of the Ending Agriculture Trade Suppression (EATS) Act in the 2024farm bill.[37]
For the118th Congress:[38]
Garcia has been described byThe New York Times as a "relatively moderate lawmaker".[41]
On January 4, 2021, Garcia announced his intention to reject some states' electoral votes based on claims of fraud.[42] On January 6, he objected to Congress'scertification of the states' Electoral College votes.[43] He later acknowledgedJoe Biden's win and said the "election process has run its course".[28]
Garcia voted againstDonald Trump's second impeachment after the2021 attack on the United States Capitol.[44]
According toCalifornia Catholic Daily, Garcia opposes abortion and does not support federal funding ofPlanned Parenthood.[45] After winning the special election, he signed a petition to bring theBorn-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act to the House floor for a vote.[46] Garcia has cosponsored proposed legislation that would effectively ban abortion and some forms of birth control.[47]
During a virtual debate with Smith before the special election, Garcia said that financial aid to small businesses should be administered through cities and local chambers of commerce.[48]
Garcia has called on theUnited States House Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Crisis to investigate GovernorGavin Newsom's policy on nursing homes during the pandemic.[49] Along with other Republican representatives, Garcia claimed that Newsom had ignored guidance provided by theCenters for Medicare & Medicaid Services.[50]
Garcia voted against theAmerican Rescue Plan Act of 2021.[51]
In 2023, Garcia criticized members of his own party for blocking an $826 billion defense appropriations bill for the2024 fiscal year.[52][53] In his criticism, Garcia said that the far-right Republicans stalling the bill on procedural grounds were "enabling the failed defense policies" of the Biden administration "and accelerating the downward trajectory of our nation's security."[54]
During the debate on the 2024 defense appropriations bill, which included a fifth round of aid toUkraine, Garcia said "I'm not necessarily opposed to supporting the Ukrainians further, but I am opposed to doing it at this point without some sort of explanation from the executive branch, Secretary of Defense [Lloyd Austin] telling us what we are doing with this money and where it's going and what the end state is."[55]
Garcia has advocated for repealing thePatient Protection and Affordable Care Act. During his campaign, he said he "was not a big fan ofMedicaid."[56]
Garcia supports the construction of a wall along theMexico–United States border.[20] He is in favor of increasing surveillance at the border.[21] Garcia has voiced opposition to theDREAM Act and givingamnesty toillegal immigrants who entered the United States as children.[47]
In June 2021, Garcia was one of 49 House Republicans to vote to repeal theAUMF against Iraq.[57][58]
Garcia voted to support Israel following the2023 Hamas attack on Israel.[59][60]
In 2021, Garcia voted against theEquality Act, calling it "contrary to American ideals".[61][62]
On July 19, 2022, Garcia and 46 other Republican U.S. representatives voted for theRespect for Marriage Act, which codified the right to same-sex marriage in federal law.[63]
In May 2020, Garcia said that he supports congressional term limits.[64]
In January 2021, Garcia introduced the State and Local Tax (SALT) Fairness Act, a bill to eliminate the SALT deduction cap created in theTax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017. Compared to residents of other states, Californians are disproportionately impacted by the SALT deduction cap.[65]
In 2022, Garcia was one of 39 Republicans to vote for the Merger Filing Fee Modernization Act of 2022, an antitrust package that would crack down on corporations for anti-competitive behavior.[66][67]
Garcia opposesstatehood for Washington DC. In April 2021, Garcia voted against theWashington, D.C., Admission Act.[68][69]
Garcia's wife Rebecca is an interior designer. They have two sons.[70] Garcia and his family live inSanta Clarita, California.[71]
| 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% | ||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Mike Garcia | 95,088 | 54.9% | ||
| Democratic | Christy Smith | 78,234 | 45.1% | ||
| Total votes | 173,322 | 100% | |||
| Republicangain fromDemocratic | |||||
| Primary election | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
| Democratic | Christy Smith | 49,679 | 31.7% | |
| Republican | Mike Garcia | 37,381 | 23.9% | |
| Republican | Steve Knight | 29,645 | 18.9% | |
| Democratic | Cenk Uygur | 9,246 | 5.9% | |
| Democratic | Getro Franck Elize | 6,317 | 4.0% | |
| Republican | David Lozano | 6,272 | 4.0% | |
| Democratic | Anibal Valdéz-Ortega | 4,920 | 3.1% | |
| Democratic | Robert Cooper III | 4,474 | 2.9% | |
| Republican | George Papadopoulos | 2,749 | 1.8% | |
| No party preference | Otis Lee Cooper | 2,183 | 1.4% | |
| Democratic | Christopher C. Smith(withdrawn) | 2,089 | 1.3% | |
| Republican | Daniel Mercuri | 913 | 0.6% | |
| Republican | Kenneth Jenks | 682 | 0.4% | |
| Total votes | 156,550 | 100.0% | ||
| General election | ||||
| Republican | Mike Garcia (incumbent) | 169,638 | 50.05% | |
| Democratic | Christy Smith | 169,305 | 49.95% | |
| Total votes | 338,933 | 100.0% | ||
| Republicanhold | ||||
| Primary election | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
| Republican | Mike Garcia (incumbent) | 57,469 | 47.1 | |
| Democratic | Christy Smith | 45,675 | 37.4 | |
| Democratic | Quaye Quartey | 8,303 | 6.8 | |
| Democratic | Ruth Luevanos | 6,668 | 5.5 | |
| Republican | David Rudnick | 2,648 | 2.2 | |
| Republican | Mark Pierce | 1,352 | 1.1 | |
| Total votes | 122,115 | 100.0 | ||
| General election | ||||
| Republican | Mike Garcia (incumbent) | 104,536 | 53.2 | |
| Democratic | Christy Smith | 91,782 | 46.8 | |
| Total votes | 196,318 | 100.0 | ||
| Republicanhold | ||||
| Primary election | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
| Republican | Mike Garcia (incumbent) | 74,245 | 54.9 | |
| Democratic | George Whitesides | 44,391 | 32.8 | |
| Democratic | Steve Hill | 16,525 | 12.2 | |
| Total votes | 135,161 | 100.0 | ||
| General election | ||||
| Democratic | George Whitesides | 154,040 | 51.3 | |
| Republican | Mike Garcia (incumbent) | 146,050 | 48.7 | |
| Total votes | 300,090 | 100.0 | ||
| Democraticgain fromRepublican | ||||
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
| U.S. House of Representatives | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by | Member of theU.S. House of Representatives fromCalifornia's 25th congressional district 2020–2023 | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | Member of theU.S. House of Representatives fromCalifornia's 27th congressional district 2023–2025 | Succeeded by |
| U.S. order of precedence (ceremonial) | ||
| Preceded byas Former U.S. Representative | Order of precedence of the United States as Former U.S. Representative | Succeeded byas Former U.S. Representative |
| People | |
|---|---|
| Other | |
