Robert Garcia (California congressman) facts for kids

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"Robert Garcia (California politician)" redirects here. For the state assemblyman, see Robert Garcia (California assemblymember).

Quick facts for kids Robert Garcia
Official portrait, 2023

Ranking Member of the House Oversight Committee
Incumbent
Assumed office June 24, 2025
Preceded by	Stephen Lynch (acting)
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from California's 42nd district
Incumbent
Assumed office January 3, 2023
Preceded by	Lucille Roybal-Allard (40th district) Alan Lowenthal (47th district)
28th Mayor of Long Beach
In office July 15, 2014 – December 20, 2022
Preceded by	Bob Foster
Succeeded by	Rex Richardson
Vice Mayor of Long Beach
In office July 17, 2012 – July 15, 2014
Preceded by	Suja Lowenthal
Succeeded by	Suja Lowenthal
Member of the Long Beach City Council from the 1st district
In office May 5, 2009 – July 15, 2014
Preceded by	Bonnie Lowenthal
Succeeded by	Lena Gonzalez

Personal details
Born	Robert Julio Garcia (1977-12-02) December 2, 1977 (age 47) Lima, Peru
Political party	Democratic (2007–present)
Other political affiliations	Republican (before 2007)
Spouse	Matthew Mendez (m. 2018; div. 2024)
Education	California State University, Long Beach (BA, EdD) University of Southern California (MA)
Signature
Website

Robert Julio Garcia (born December 2, 1977) is an American politician and educator. He currently serves as a U.S. representative for California's 42nd congressional district since 2023. He is a member of the Democratic Party.

Before joining Congress, he was the 28th mayor of Long Beach, California from 2014 to 2022. He was the youngest person to be elected mayor of Long Beach. He was also the first Latino mayor and the first openly gay mayor of the city. He is the second person of color to be mayor of Long Beach. Before becoming mayor, he was a member of the Long Beach City Council and served as vice mayor from 2012 to 2014.

In 2022, Garcia was elected to the United States House of Representatives. He is the first person of Peruvian heritage to be elected to Congress. He was also a key figure in the removal of George Santos from the House.

Early Life and Education

Robert Julio Garcia was born in Lima, Peru, on December 2, 1977. When he was five years old, he moved to the United States with his mother. His mother and aunt worked hard in many jobs, like housekeepers, to support their family.

Garcia finished high school at Covina High School in 1995. He then went to California State University, Long Beach. There, he became the president of the student association. He earned a degree in communication studies.

He continued his studies at the University of Southern California, where he earned a Master's Degree. Later, he became a public information officer at Long Beach City College. In 2010, Garcia received his Doctor of Education degree from California State University, Long Beach. He has taught communication and public policy classes at several universities.

Professional Career

In 2007, Garcia started the Long Beach Post. This was a website that shared local news and sports. It quickly became popular with local leaders and helped him become more well-known in the community. He sold the website before he was elected mayor.

Before and during his time on the Long Beach City Council, Garcia taught at the University of Southern California. He also taught communication studies at California State University, Long Beach and Long Beach City College.

Long Beach City Council (2009–2014)

In 2009, Garcia won a seat on the Long Beach City Council. He was reelected in 2010. In July 2012, the City Council chose him to be Vice Mayor for two years. He was the first Latino Vice Mayor in Long Beach and the youngest in the city's history.

During his time as a council member, Garcia helped create more than 20 new laws. These included a law for equal benefits and a ban on smoking at bus stops. He also supported veterans in hiring and helped artists with their businesses. He worked to improve city buildings and roads.

Garcia also supported naming a park in Long Beach after Harvey Milk. Milk was an important figure in civil rights. The park, called Harvey Milk Promenade Park, opened in 2013.

Mayor of Long Beach (2014–2022)

Becoming Mayor

In July 2013, Garcia announced he would run for mayor of Long Beach. He won the election in June 2014 and became mayor on July 15. He was reelected in April 2018 with a large majority of the votes.

Mayor's Work

Mayor of Long Beach, Robert Garcia at a joint signing at the East San Pedro Bay study in 2016

As mayor, Garcia focused on education and filling positions on city commissions. He helped Long Beach join the Long Beach College Promise. This program helps local students get into college. He also aimed for all children to attend preschool. He appointed many new commissioners, and most of them were women.

Garcia worked to improve the city's economy. He brought back the Economic Development Commission. He also got a $3 million grant to support new ideas. During his time, a new civic center was built. Voters also approved a temporary sales tax to help with city services and safety. He focused on building new homes and using technology.

As mayor, Garcia suggested 10 ballot measures. These were about public safety, city buildings, and how long officials can serve. All of these measures passed.

Global Connections

Garcia led America's second largest container port, the Port of Long Beach. He worked to meet climate goals. He also traveled to many countries to build trade relationships. These countries included Japan, Korea, China, and Germany. He also visited Peru and Honduras to help expand LGBTQ rights around the world.

Supporting Workers

Garcia helped create a citywide agreement to support local workers on construction projects. This agreement helped ensure that local people were hired for many building projects. He also supported workers joining unions. He worked to increase the minimum wage for workers in the city.

Protecting the Environment

In 2015, Garcia signed the Global Covenant of Mayors. This is a group working to reduce pollution and prepare for climate change. Long Beach then created its first Climate Action and Adaptation Plan. This plan helps local businesses reduce their environmental impact. During his time, Long Beach also banned Styrofoam, plastic straws, and plastic bags.

Public Health Efforts

Garcia believes that everyone should have access to health care. In 2020, he helped form Mayors 4 Medicare. This group of mayors works to ensure people across the country can get health care. Under Garcia, Long Beach also started a program to help Black mothers and their babies.

Political History

Garcia was involved in politics from a young age. He was the California Youth Coordinator for George W. Bush's 2000 presidential campaign. He also started the Long Beach Young Republicans in 2005. He described himself as socially liberal and financially conservative.

In 2007, Garcia changed his political party to Democratic. He has said that his family first registered as Republicans because they admired President Ronald Reagan.

State and National Politics

Garcia with Vice-President Kamala Harris in 2021

In December 2017, Garcia supported Gavin Newsom for governor. In May 2019, Garcia became a California state co-chair for Kamala Harris's 2020 presidential campaign. He was the only mayor to hold this role. Later, he joined the Latino Leadership Committee for the Joe Biden campaign.

In August 2020, Garcia was chosen as one of 17 speakers to give the main speech at the 2020 Democratic National Convention. He was one of the first openly gay speakers in this role at a Democratic National Convention.

U.S. House of Representatives

Elections

2022 Election

On December 22, 2021, Garcia announced he would run for California's 42nd congressional district in the United States House of Representatives. He chose to take his oath of office using the U.S. Constitution, a picture of his parents, and an original Action Comics #1. This comic book features Superman and is seen as the start of the golden age of comics.

Work in Congress

Robert Garcia

@RobertGarcia

We did it. We expelled George Santos.

December 1, 2023

Garcia was a key leader in the removal of George Santos from the House. He helped file the motions that led to Santos's expulsion. In April 2024, Garcia voted to support military aid packages for Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan.

Committee Roles

For the 119th United States Congress, Robert Garcia is involved in several important committees:

Committee on Oversight and Government Reform (ranking member)
- Subcommittee on Military and Foreign Affairs
- Subcommittee on Delivering on Government Efficiency
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure
- Subcommittee on Aviation
- Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation
- Subcommittee on Highways and Transit

He was also previously on the Committee on Homeland Security and the Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Pandemic.

Group Memberships

Garcia is a member of several groups in Congress:

Congressional Progressive Caucus
Congressional Equality Caucus (co-chair)
Congressional Freethought Caucus
Congressional YIMBY Caucus (co-chair)

Personal Life

On December 22, 2018, Garcia married Matthew Mendez, a professor at California State University, Long Beach. They have since divorced. Garcia identifies as Catholic.