Robert Garcia (born December 2, 1977) is a Peruvian-American politician who is the current Mayor of Long Beach, California. He previously represented the First District Council, which covers a large area in the city center, part of Long Beach Harbor, and some of the city's most crowded and most diverse urban areas.
After being elected on April 13, 2009 to fill the vacated seat by Bonnie Lowenthal, Garcia became the youngest man, the first Latin man, and the first gay man to be elected at the Long Beach City Council.
In 2014, Garcia ran for Mayor Long Beach. He qualified for the first place in the first election. He won the mayoral election on June 3, 2014 with 52.1% of the vote, defeating Damon Dunn. Garcia was the first openly gay man to be elected Mayor of Long Beach.
Video Robert Garcia (California politician)
Biography
Garcia was born on December 2, 1977 in Lima, Peru. He immigrated to the United States with his mother at the age of 5 years. Her mother and aunt worked in many jobs, including as housemaids, to support the family. Garcia attended California State University, Long Beach, where he became Associated Student President, is an active member of the Delta Chi fraternity and graduated with a degree in Communication Science. He continued his education at the University of Southern California, where he received his Master's degree, and later became a Public Information Officer at Long Beach City College. Garcia received Ed.D. in Education Policy from California State University, Long Beach, in June 2010. He has taught Communications and Public Policy courses at the University of Southern California, California State University, Long Beach, and Long Beach City College. He is fully bilingual, speaks, reads and writes English and Spanish fluently.
Originally a Republican, Garcia served as Coordinator of the California Youth Coalition for President George W. Bush's 2000 campaign while still in college.
In 2005, he founded and became president of Young Young's Young Republic; he worked as chief of staff for Long Beach City Council member Frank Colonna and runs a 2006 mayoral campaign from Colonna. Garcia transformed his party to the Democrats around 2007. In 2007, Garcia set up the Long Beach Post, a website devoted to local news and sports reporting. The site soon became popular with local political figures and community leaders and gave Garcia an increase in local excellence. Garcia, with other residents of the region, established the North Pine Neighborhood Alliance in 2008 to advocate the needs of residents and businesses downtown.
In 2009, Garcia defeated six other candidates, including a former First District Council member, to win vacant seats when Bonnie Lowenthal was elected to the California State Assembly in 2008. He was re-elected in April 2010 by a margin of more than 40 percentage points. In July 2012, he was unanimously elected for a two-year term as Deputy Mayor by the City Council, becoming the first Latin Vice Mayor of Long Beach and the youngest in the history of the City (Press Telegram, 18 July 2012). In January 2013, Garcia was appointed to the Coastal Commission of California. In July 2013, after Bob Foster announced he would not seek re-election, Garcia entered the race for the Mayor of Long Beach. Having been installed as Mayor, Garcia must leave the Coastal Commission, which does not allow the Mayor's Charter to serve as a member.
Maps Robert Garcia (California politician)
Member of city council
Garcia has authored or sponsored more than 20 laws, including the first Equal Justice Act, the smoking ban at bus stops and in the farmer's market, a proposal to expand improved preference for veterans in the recruitment of public servants, and begin art initiatives that eliminate restrictions on street performances, and reduced taxes on business licenses for artists and other home-based businesses.
Garcia showed support for the business community and unions, opting to support the Project Manpower Agreement at Long Beach Airport, Long Beach Port and for Gerald Desmond Bridge, supporting the expansion of the Middle Harbor Terminal, and working to improve infrastructure in commercial corridors. He has shown interest in government reform and fiscal accountability, and supports the City Manager's efforts to consolidate departments.
Garcia arranges the lease of the City land to a local charter school for use as a work education field. He also arranges large mural paintings by local artists at the façade of the empty Press-Telegram attic in downtown Long Beach. Garcia has received national attention because of his socially progressive and socially diverse society he represents, being young, Latino and gay. Garcia featured in the [CNN] 2009 special "Latino in America," and was named to "40 under 40 lists" by The Advocate gay national news magazine.
Garcia's support for the Downtown Long Beach Community Plan 2010 was criticized by some supporters of affordable housing, who argued that the plan should be suspended for economic studies on affordable housing incentives. In response, Garcia argues that delaying the plans will be expensive to the city, and that economic studies can be done separately. The plan passes the City Council, 7-2.
Mayoral 2014 Campaign
In July 2013, Garcia announced his candidacy for the Mayor of Long Beach. He received 25.4% of the vote in the April 8, 2014 election, finishing first in the field of 10 mayoral candidates. In the second round of elections between Garcia and candidate candidate Damon Dunn (22.3% of the vote) on June 3, Garcia won by 52% of the vote, and took office on July 15, 2014.
Mayor
Garcia's first 100 days as a Mayor is characterized by a focus on education and seat commissioners to fill vacancies in citizen commissions. Garcia is committed to Long Beach City to join local educational institutions as a signatory to the Long Beach College Promise, and announces the goal of universal preschool enrollment and doubling the number of interns in town for local students. He appointed more than 60 commissioners, creating the most diverse board of commissioners in the city's history. The State of the City address uses a large digital display to display data and graphics, winning praise for visual appeal and technology usage. His speech highlighted education, economic development, and sustainability, among other issues.
Garcia's focus on economic development has been exemplified by the resurgence of the inactive Economic Development Commission and the acquisition of a $ 3 million innovation grant from Bloomberg Philanthropies. During his first term, the construction of a new civilian center began, and voters approved a temporary sales tax increase. to support infrastructure and public safety, which Garcia began. Garcia has focused on economic development, public safety and infrastructure, education, technology, and building housing.
Garcia is the youngest mayor in Long Beach history. He is also the first Latin Mayor, and speaks fluent Spanish and English.
See also
- List of mayors from the 50 largest cities in the US
References
External links
- Official website
- News, bio, and blogs
Source of the article : Wikipedia
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