Assemblymember Eduardo Garcia has the Edge in 2020 Assembly Race
From the outside looking in at the current matchup in the 56th Assembly District seat, Incumbent Democratic Assemblymember Eduardo Garcia has the edge as at least one Republican challenger prepares to take him on in the November 2020 race.
América Figueroa of Indio has announced her intentions to unseat the accomplished Assemblymember. She is passionate and energized by a groundswell of Republican support. She is a fighter.
Before he even begins the 2020 he has more than $500,000 in the bank.
Garcia has the edge simply by looking at the numbers. Any Republican running against him will have a difficult time. Following are the results of the 2018 race when Jeff Gonzalez, a formidable opponent challenged Garcia.
Garcia cut his political eye teeth in local government. He was first elected to the Coachella City Council in November 2004. In 2006, at age of 29, he became Coachella’s first elected Mayor. Under his leadership, the City of Coachella metamorphosed into an emerging economic and cultural center of the Coachella Valley.
Elected to the Assembly in 2014, Garcia currently serves as chair of Water, Parks and Wildlife. In this capacity he oversees some of the state’s most critical issues, such as drought conditions, and the implementation of the multi-billion-dollar Proposition 1, Water Bond voters passed in 2014.
As a lifelong Coachella Valley resident, Garcia has a command of the issues and concerns that face his constituents.
He was the mastermind behind at least 40 bills signed into law so far. Some 25 won GOP help and support. Garcia has worked closely with Republican Assemblyman Chad Mayes — whose 42nd district also covers portions of the Coachella Valley.
In its 2018 Legislative Scorecard, Equality California awarded Assemblyman Eduardo Garcia 100 percent. The overall score reflects officials’ votes on Equality California-sponsored legislation and priority supported legislation.
“For me it is simple,” Garcia told Uken Report about his perfect score. “I was elected to represent the residents of our 56th California State Assembly District. That means all of our residents. I am very mindful that the policies I introduce and support are both equitable and inclusive. For me, there is no room for discrimination, and I am proud to help advance legislation that will ensure a more just California for all.”
Equality California’s 2018 legislative package focused on the most vulnerable in its community, as it worked to address the persistent disparities in health and wellbeing that many LGBTQ people continue to face. The organization passed historic legislation to ensure transgender youth in the foster care system have access to the life-saving, gender-affirming healthcare they need; it made critical investments in combating California’s youth homelessness crisis; and it helped guarantee that law enforcement officers have the tools and training they need to serve and protect the LGBTQ community.
Garcia has the edge when it comes to bringing money into the district for its people. Garcia has helped secure money to help address blighted housing conditions and tainted drinking water supplies. Former Gov. Jerry Brown signed Garcia’s legislation to help access to $40 million in loans for nonprofits or local governments to upgrade mobile home parks that cater primarily to low-income families.
Garcia has the edge given his choice committee assignments.
Garcia, a lifelong resident of the Coachella Valley, is chair of the Joint Legislative Committee on Climate Change Policies where he has powerful voice for the environment.
He also serves on Appropriations, Communications and Conveyance, Governmental Organization, Utilities and Energy and the Joint Legislative Committee on Climate Change Policies.
In addition, Garcia sits on four Select Committee, including:
- Select Committee on California-Mexico Bi-National Affairs
- Select Committee on Economic Development and Investment in Rural California
- Select Committee on End of Life Health Care
- Select Committee on Environmental Quality and the Green Economy in the Inland Empire
During his tenure, Garcia has forged good working relationships with both Gov. Gavin Newsom and the leadership of the Assembly. The relationships bode well for getting legislation passed that benefit the Coachella Valley.
The election is a year away and anything can happen. From the outside looking in at sheer numbers and accomplishments, Garcia has the edge.
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- Assemblymember Eduardo Garcia: Assemblyman Eduardo Garcia