Robert Garcia - 28th Mayor of Long Beach

Robert Garcia is a Peruvian-American politician, an accomplished educator who is serving as the 28th Mayor of Long Beach, California. Moreover, also a member of the California Coastal Commission. As a member of the public policy and faculty of communications at the University of Southern California and also taught Communication Studies at Cal State Long Beach and Lon Beach City College.

Early Life

Garcia was born on December 2, 1977, in Lima, Peru. At the age of 5, he immigrated to the United States with his beloved mother. Regarding his educational background, he has attended California State University, Long Beach where he was elected as the president of the Associated Students. And also as an active member of the Delta Chi fraternity. He earned his bachelor’s degree in Communication Studies. Furthermore, he continued his education at the University of Southern California where he achieved a Master’s Degree. Later on, Garcia went to become a Public Information Officer at Long Beach City College. In addition, he also received his Doctor of Education degree in Education Policy from California State University in June 2010.

The Career of Robert Garcia

Robert Garcia started his career teaching various courses in Communication and Public Policy at the University of Southern California, California State University, and Long Beach City College. He became a Democrat in 2007 but he was originally Republican when he first became a citizen due to President Ronald Reagan signing an amnesty bill and also his family. In the same year, he founded the Long Beach Post, a website devoted to local news and sports reporting. Eventually, he sold the local website before being elected as Mayor. Later on, in 2009, Garcia defeated six other candidates to win the seat in 2008. Again in April 2010, he was reelected by a fair margin.

The following year, in July 2012, Garcia was unanimously elected as Vice Mayor for a two-year term by the City Council, becoming the first Latino Vice Mayor in Long Beach and also the youngest in the City’s history. During his tenure, he authored or cosponsored more than 20 pieces of Legislation, which includes a ban on smoking at bus stops, the city’s first equal Benefits Ordinance, farmer’s markets, and so on. He has made various reformations in the city being Vice Mayor of the city which includes support for community and labor unions, expansion of the Middle Harbor Terminal, and also supported the City Manager’s efforts to consolidate departments.

Moreover, in January 2013, he was appointed to the California Coastal Commission. After Bob Foster, Garcia announced his candidacy and entered the race for Mayor of Long Beach in July 2013. Prior to this decision, he won with 52% of the total vote and took the office in charge on July 15, 2014.

Later on, he was reelected on April 11 with unanimously around 805 of the total vote. For instance, as Mayor, he championed progressive education policy, launched an aggressive climate plan, supported workers by increasing wages, and also fought to protect rights for women, immigrants, and the LGBTQ community. Talking about his signature initiative, he has launched Measure A, the largest infrastructure repair program in his generation.

Wife and Children

Robert Garcia is the son of mother Gabriella O’Donnell. Any information regarding his blood father is not known. But he has a stepfather named Greg O’Donnell. Talking about his personal life, he is not straight and married to Matthew Mendez who is a professor of Political Science at California State University, Long Beach. As of now, due to the covid-19 global pandemic, he has lost his mother in July 2020. Shortly after, he also lost his stepfather to the same disease.

Net worth

According to various surveys, Garcia earned $143,419 with around $40,000 ranking fourth most highest-paid mayor in California. The net worth of Robert Garcia is not revealed yet. But his prime source of income is being Mayor of Long Beach City.

Recent doings/ facts

Recently, Mayor Garcia is currently serving as a Board Member on the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority representing much of South East Los Angeles County.

Moreover, in August 2020, he was selected as one of seventeen speakers to jointly deliver the keynote address at the 2020 Democratic National Convention.

Highlighting his facts, Garcia is a longtime Dc comics fan. In addition, he is fully bilingual speaking, reading, and writing both English and Spanish. Garcia has also been named as one of Long Beach’s “Most innovative Minds” by Long Beach Magazine.