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Long Beach Mayor Robert Garcia announces run for Congress BY CITY NEWS SERVICE
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ong Beach Mayor Robert Garcia is running for a congressional seat, he announced via YouTube Friday morning. Garcia, who is seeking a Long Beach-based seat in Congress, dedicated his congressional campaign to his late mother, who brought him to the United States when he was 5 and died from COVID19-related complications early in the pandemic. “My mom brought me to this country and risked everything so that I could become an American,” Garcia said in the YouTube video announcing his candidacy. “She came here never doubting that America was a place where her immigrant son could succeed. That’s why today, I am fighting for every kid to get the same shot that this country gave me.” Garcia’s mother, a healthcare worker, and his stepfather died from COVID-19 complications. Garcia said he would work as hard as he could to ensure
other families would not experience the same pain as he did. He was instrumental in expanding Long Beach’s mobile testing and vaccination efforts, which drew national recognition from health experts and praise from Gov. Gavin Newsom. Long Beach was the first city in California to vaccinate educators, which led to Long Beach Unified reopening schools before most other districts in the state. Long Beach was also the first city in California to vaccinate 99% of its senior population. Upon his election as mayor of Long Beach, Garcia become the first Latino, immigrant, and LGBTQ elected mayor in the city’s history. He grew up in Southern California, and is married to Matthew Mendez Garcia, a professor of political science at California State University, Long Beach. Equality California, the nation’s largest statewide LGBTQ+ civil rights organization, was the first group to endorse Garcia for
Congress. “Mayor Garcia has shown throughout his nearly 13 years in elected office that he has the skill, tenacity and compassion to improve the lives of LGBTQ+ people and the diverse communities to which we belong,” Equality California Executive Director Tony Hoang said in a statement. “From creating one of the country’s most comprehensive responses to the COVID-19 pandemic to establishing transgender-inclusive healthcare coverage in the City of Long Beach, he has been there for our LGBTQ+ community and for all Californians. We need a leader like him in Congress, and we’re prepared to do everything in our power to ensure he is elected in 2022.” U.S. Rep. Alan Lowenthal, who has the seat Garcia is seeking, announced Thursday that he will retire at the end of the 117th Congress. The primary election will be June 7 and the top two finishers will advance to the general election on Nov. 8.
Long Beach Mayor Robert Garcia. | Photo courtesy of City of Long Beach
Duarte City Council fills District 6 vacancy and selects new mayor, mayor pro tem At a special meeting of the Duarte City Council on Tuesday, Dec. 14, the council interviewed and appointed a new councilmember for District 6. Following that, the council also hosted its annual reorganization to select a new Mayor and Mayor Pro Tem. The City Council selected Margaret Finlay, District 4, to represent Duarte as mayor and Tzeitel Paras-Caracci, District 1, as mayor pro tem. Margaret Finlay previously served six terms as mayor. “As we approach the end
of 2021, we must acknowledge how far we’ve come as a community weathering two years of uncertainties,” stated Finlay. “It is my honor to again serve Duarte as mayor. I’m hopeful for an exciting 2022 and some light at the end of the COVID-19 pandemic tunnel.” The council unanimously appointed Cesar Garcia to fill the vacant District 6 City Council seat. He was sworn into office immediately after the appointment. The position was left vacant following the unexpected
passing of Councilmember Bryan Urias. The city held an open application process for any registered voter in Duarte to apply for the District 6 seat. “Cesar Garcia is a longtime Duarte resident who is deeply committed to our community,” said Mayor Pro Tem Paras-Caracci. “His appointment ensures residents are well represented through the November 2022 election.” Garcia and his family have called Duarte home for over 27 years. Garcia
attended Duarte schools from kindergarten through high school. As a proud Duarte High alum, Garcia’s experience inspired him to give back to his community through public service. “Although I am joining the City Council during a solemn time for Duarte with the loss of Councilmember Urias, I hope to uplift my community through city programs that have given so much to me and my family,” said Councilmember Garcia. “My focus is strengthening city partnerships and
increasing programs and resources for Duarte residents.” Councilmember Garcia highlights Measure D as an example of the Duarte community coming together to responsibly budget and develop the city’s infrastructure and public resources through the unprecedented events of the COVID-19 pandemic. His 2018 campaign slogan, “We are all one community,” rings true today as the councilmember commits to serving his
hometown through his new role. His initial goals include supporting youth and family programs, of which he is a direct product, as well as public safety initiatives and local businesses. At the reorganization meeting, City Manager Dan Jordan administered the Oath of Office to the incoming councilmember. For additional information about the Duarte City Council, please visit the Duarte City website or contact the Office of the City Manager at (626) 357-7931.