Marilinda Garcia

While Garcia attended high school, she was a member of the Greater Boston Youth Symphony Repertory Orchestra and the Greater Boston Youth Symphony Senior Orchestra, as the Principal Harp. She attended Tufts University and the New England Conservatory of Music (NEC),{{cite web|url=http://www.tuftsdaily.com/2.5541/portrait-of-a-young-artist-marilinda-garcia-1.603112 |title=Portrait of a Young Artist: Marilinda Garcia|work=Tufts Daily|date= |access-date=October 23, 2013}} earning joint bachelor's degrees in 2006.{{cite web|url=http://latino.foxnews.com/latino/politics/2013/08/15/republican-party-highlights-diversity-at-annual-meeting/ |title=Republican Party Highlights Diversity And Its Rising Stars At Annual Meeting In Boston | Fox News Latino |publisher=Latino.foxnews.com |date=August 15, 2013 |access-date=October 23, 2013}}

After graduating from Tufts and NEC, served as a court-appointed special advocate for abused and neglected children. She also began teaching the harp at Gordon College, Phillips Exeter Academy, and St. Paul's School as an adjunct professor in music.{{cite web |url=http://www.eagletribune.com/nhnews/x1876318911/Freshman-legislator-is-learning-the-ropes/print |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131203003506/http://www.eagletribune.com/nhnews/x1876318911/Freshman-legislator-is-learning-the-ropes/print |url-status=dead |archive-date=December 3, 2013 |title=Freshman legislator is learning the ropes » EagleTribune.com, North Andover, MA |publisher=Eagletribune.com |date=January 28, 2007 |access-date=October 23, 2013 }} She also attended Harvard University's John F. Kennedy School of Government, where she obtained her Master's degree in Public Policy in 2010.

Garcia was elected to the New Hampshire House in 2006, at the age of 23. She became the co-chairman of the House Republican caucus and Majority Whip.{{cite web |url=http://www.unionleader.com/article/20130817/NEWHAMPSHIRE1411/130819402/0/NEWS04 |title=Salem's Rep. Garcia named Republican rising star | New Hampshire Salem Observer |publisher=Unionleader.com |date=August 17, 2013 |access-date=October 23, 2013 |archive-date=December 3, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131203011624/http://www.unionleader.com/article/20130817/NEWHAMPSHIRE1411/130819402/0/NEWS04 |url-status=dead }} She lost her bid for re-election in 2008. Her Rockingham District 4 elected thirteen candidates to the House and Garcia finished fourteenth.{{cite web|url=http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=450450|title=Our Campaigns – NH State House – Rockingham 04 Race – Nov 04, 2008|publisher=Our Campaigns}}

She returned to the House in 2009 in a special election for Rockingham District 4, winning the Republican primary with 66% of the vote{{cite web|url=http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=687371|title=Our Campaigns – NH State House – Rockingham 04 – Special R Primary Race – Mar 24, 2009|publisher=Our Campaigns}} and the general election with 62% of the vote.{{cite web|url=http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=687370|title=Our Campaigns – NH State House – Rockingham 04 – Special Election Race – Apr 28, 2009|publisher=Our Campaigns}} She was re-elected in 2010, coming fourth out of the thirteen candidates who advanced to the general election,{{cite web|url=http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=687368|title=Our Campaigns – NH State House – Rockingham 04 – R Primary Race – Sep 14, 2010|publisher=Our Campaigns}} where she came seventh.{{cite web|url=http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=687369|title=Our Campaigns – NH State House – Rockingham 04 Race – Nov 02, 2010|publisher=Our Campaigns}} The new Speaker Bill O' Brien appointed her vice chair of the House Legislative Administration committee which considers all matters pertaining to the legislative process including such issues such as mileage, elections, the journal, house resolutions and screening; enrolling bills; creation of statutory and chapter study committees.{{cite web|url=http://ballotpedia.org/Legislative_Administration_Committee,_New_Hampshire_House_of_Representatives|title=Legislative Administration Committee, New Hampshire House of Representatives|publisher=Ballotpedia}} In 2012, she was re-elected from Rockingham District 8. In the Republican primary to determine the nine candidates for the seat, she came fifth.{{cite web|url=http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=770159|title=Our Campaigns – NH State House – Rockingham 08 – R Primary Race – Sep 11, 2012|publisher=Our Campaigns}} In the general election, she came seventh.{{cite web|url=http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=770390|title=Our Campaigns – NH State House – Rockingham 08 Race – Nov 06, 2012|publisher=Our Campaigns}}

During her tenure in the New Hampshire House of Representatives, Garcia was the prime sponsor of the New Hampshire Innovation Job Growth Program bill,{{cite web|url=http://legiscan.com/NH/text/HB605/id/150664%20|title=Bill Text: NH HB605}} which enables the New Hampshire Business Finance Authority to facilitate the acquisition of early stage seed capital for NH entrepreneurs. In the 2012 session she was the prime sponsor of Destination Specialty Treatment Center bill{{cite web|url=http://www.sentinelsource.com/opinion/columnists/guest/the-argument-for-cancer-treatment-centers-of-america-by-marilinda/article_c4076960-c9d8-5c79-8e0c-1984dca25ce0.html%20|title=The argument for Cancer Treatment Centers of America, by Marilinda Garcia|last=Garcia|first=Marilinda|publisher=Keene Sentinel|date=February 20, 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141006165846/http://www.sentinelsource.com/opinion/columnists/guest/the-argument-for-cancer-treatment-centers-of-america-by-marilinda/article_c4076960-c9d8-5c79-8e0c-1984dca25ce0.html%20|archive-date=October 6, 2014}} that would reform the current antiquated regulatory environment of hospital construction and equipment purchasing and enable the development of NH's specialty health care sector. Most recently, she was the prime sponsor of a bill to restructure upper management of the New Hampshire Liquor Commission, and the Price Transparency Act{{cite web|url=http://www.concordmonitor.com/news/8143208-95/bill-in-nh-house-aims-to-publicize-costs-of-health-care-procedures%20|title=Bill in N.H. House aims to publicize costs of health care procedures|last=Palermo|first=Sarah|publisher=Concord Monitor|date=August 20, 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141114142603/http://www.concordmonitor.com/news/8143208-95/bill-in-nh-house-aims-to-publicize-costs-of-health-care-procedures|archive-date=November 14, 2014}} relative to medical care pricing transparency for self-pay patients and the uninsured.

The Republican National Committee named her a "rising star" in 2013.{{cite web|last=Tuohy |first=Dan |url=http://salem-nh.patch.com/groups/politics-and-elections/p/marilinda-garcia-in-boston-as-rnc-rising-star |title=Marilinda Garcia named RNC 'Rising Star' – Government |publisher=Salem, NH Patch |date=August 15, 2013 |access-date=October 23, 2013}}

On October 23, 2014, the progressive advocacy group Granite State Progress accused Garcia of having plagiarized parts of a March 21, 2012, state house speech in opposition to same-sex marriage, and published an article documenting similarities between that speech and an editorial published in National Review on September 7, 2010.{{cite web |last=Hawkins |first=ZandraRice |url=http://www.granitestateprogress.org/press-release/congressional-candidate-marilinda-garcia-nh-02-caught-plagiarizing-major-floor-speech |title=Congressional Candidate Marilinda Garcia (NH-02) Caught Plagiarizing Major Floor Speech |publisher=Granite State Progress |date=October 23, 2014 |access-date=October 23, 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141024050029/http://www.granitestateprogress.org/press-release/congressional-candidate-marilinda-garcia-nh-02-caught-plagiarizing-major-floor-speech |archive-date=October 24, 2014 }}{{cite web|last=Scalese |first=Roberto |url=http://www.boston.com/news/local/new-hampshire/2014/10/23/whoops-did-new-hampshire-congressional-candidate-plagiarize-speech-gay-marriage/V5uHiQgx4ynbyeRBXvccpM/story.html |title=Whoops: Did a New Hampshire Congressional Candidate Plagiarize a Speech on Gay Marriage? |publisher=Boston.com |date=October 23, 2014 |access-date=October 23, 2014}}{{cite web| last=Palermo | first=Sarah | url=http://www.concordmonitor.com/news/campaignmonitor/14048983-95/republican-congressional-candidate-marilinda-garcia-accused-of-plagiarizing-parts-of-two-speeches| title=Republican congressional candidate Marilinda Garcia accused of plagiarizing parts of two speeches | date=October 23, 2014 | access-date=October 24, 2014}} In a statement released on October 23, 2014, Garcia acknowledged that she failed to attribute excerpts from the article: "It appears I did not verbally attribute select excerpts of a speech I delivered on the House floor in 2012 to the article from which they came. I acknowledge that I should have verbally cited the author of the article and apologize for the oversight."{{cite web|last=McElveen |first=Josh |url=http://www.wmur.com/politics/garcia-acknowledges-lack-of-attribution-in-house-speech/29307516 |title=Garcia acknowledges lack of attribution in House speech |publisher=WMUR-TV |date=October 23, 2014 |access-date=October 23, 2014}}{{cite web|last=Bassett|first=Laura |url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/10/23/marilinda-garcia-plagiarism_n_6035420.html |title=GOP House Candidate Marilinda Garcia Plagiarized Parts Of Floor Speech On Same-Sex Marriage |publisher=Huffington Post |date=October 23, 2014 |access-date=October 23, 2014}}

On November 25, 2013, Garcia announced that she was running for the United States House of Representatives in New Hampshire's 2nd congressional district in the 2014 elections.{{cite web|url=http://atr.rollcall.com/gop-rising-star-launches-house-bid-in-new-hampshire/|title=GOP Rising Star Launches House Bid in New Hampshire|date=November 25, 2013 |access-date=November 25, 2013|work=Roll Call|first=Kyle|last=Trygstad}}{{cite web |url=http://www.unionleader.com/article/20131125/NEWS06/131129559 |title=State Rep. Marilinda Garcia wants to bring youthful perspective to Congress, GOP | New Hampshire Politics |publisher=Unionleader.com |date=November 25, 2013 |access-date=November 25, 2013 |archive-date=December 3, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131203005018/http://www.unionleader.com/article/20131125/NEWS06/131129559 |url-status=dead }} She defeated Gary Lambert and Jim Lawrence in the Republican primary with 49% of the votes and unsuccessfully challenged incumbent Democrat Ann McLane Kuster in the general election, taking 45% of the votes.{{cite web|url=http://www.sfgate.com/news/article/Garcia-captures-GOP-House-primary-faces-Kuster-5745308.php |title=Garcia captures GOP House primary; faces Kuster |publisher=SFGate |date=September 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140913173116/http://www.sfgate.com/news/article/Garcia-captures-GOP-House-primary-faces-Kuster-5745308.php |archive-date=September 13, 2014 }} After leaving office, she became a lobbyist for the LIBRE Initiative.{{Cite web|last=Perks|first=Ashley|date=2017-07-26|title=Marilinda Garcia|url=https://thehill.com/50-most-beautiful/2017/343783-marilinda-garcia|access-date=2021-11-10|website=TheHill|language=en}}

Garcia supports dismantling Obamacare.{{cite press release|title=Marilinda Garcia Statement on Obamacare Subsidies Ruling|url=http://www.girardatlarge.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/Garcia-on-Obamacare-subsidy-ruling.pdf|access-date=August 30, 2014}} During an interview with New Hampshire Public Radio, Garcia declined to answer the question of whether she received health care insurance coverage under the Affordable Care Act.{{cite web| last=Bever| first=Fred| url=http://nhpr.org/post/updated-garcia-slams-obamacare-wont-say-how-she-covered| title=Updated: Garcia Slams Obamacare But Won't Say How She Is Covered | date= September 21, 2014| access-date=October 23, 2014}} Garcia later stated that she is covered by health insurance outside of the Affordable Care Act network.{{cite web|url=http://www.unionleader.com/article/20140914/NEWS06/140919546|title=In 2nd District race, Garcia bucks Obamacare|website=Union Leader|access-date=September 16, 2014}}

During her 2014 campaign, Garcia criticized President Barack Obama's Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals policy. On an influx of Central American unaccompanied minors fleeing to the United States, Garcia wrote "I believe the necessary action is to send these children back to their families and homes." Garcia also pledged, if elected, "to guarantee there is no amnesty for illegal immigrants."{{cite web|author=Marilinda Garcia|title=America needs a firm, fair immigration policy|url=http://www.concordmonitor.com/home/13287637-95/my-turn-america-needs-a-firm-fair-immigration-policy|date=August 26, 2014|newspaper=Concord Monitor|url-status=bot: unknown|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140829000314/http://www.concordmonitor.com/home/13287637-95/my-turn-america-needs-a-firm-fair-immigration-policy|archive-date=August 29, 2014}}

During her 2014 campaign, Garcia criticized the Obama administration's foreign policies.{{cite web|title=Republican Marilinda Garcia stops in Keene during campaign for congressional seat|date=August 20, 2014 |url=http://www.sentinelsource.com/news/local/republican-marilinda-garcia-stops-in-keene-during-campaign-for-congressional/article_355934f7-fece-517f-92a8-4f83a126408f.html|access-date=August 30, 2014}}

Garcia opposes abortion, but during her 2014 campaign did not emphasize the issue; a campaign spokesperson said that Garcia "is not focused on abortion" and that it "an issue that has been resolved by our courts."{{cite web |last=Palermo |first=Sarah |url=http://www.concordmonitor.com/home/14035084-95/kuster-garcia-receive-dueling-endorsements-on-abortion |title=Kuster, Garcia receive dueling endorsements on abortion |publisher=Concord Monitor |date=October 22, 2014 |access-date=October 23, 2014 |url-status=bot: unknown |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141026202136/http://www.concordmonitor.com/home/14035084-95/kuster-garcia-receive-dueling-endorsements-on-abortion |archive-date=October 26, 2014 }} Garcia received the endorsement of the Susan B. Anthony List, an anti-abortion group, during the campaign.

In 2010, Garcia voted in favor of New Hampshire House Bill 1590, an effort to repeal same-sex marriage. Specifically, she voted against a motion to adopt the committee finding of "Inexpedient to Legislate" (which would defeat the bill).{{cite web| title=Bill Status, NH HB 1590| url=http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/bill_status/Roll_calls/Billstatus_billrollcalls.aspx?lsr=2069&sy=2010&sortoption=&txtsessionyear=2010&txtbillnumber=hb1590| access-date=October 26, 2014| publisher=New Hampshire General Court}} On March 21, 2012, Garcia spoke on the floor of the New Hampshire state house in favor of House Bill 437, which would have prohibited same-sex marriages and voted in favor of the bill.{{cite web| title=Bill Status, NH HB 437| url=http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/bill_status/Roll_Calls/billstatus_rcdetails.aspx?vs=188&sy=2012&lb=H&eb=HB0437&sortoption=&txtsessionyear=2012&txtbillnumber=HB437&ddlsponsors=&lsr=14| access-date=October 26, 2014| publisher=New Hampshire General Court}}

Garcia is the daughter of an Italian immigrant mother and a Mexican-American father who was born in Nebraska and raised in New Mexico.{{cite web|url=http://www.news-journal.com/opinion/navarrette-one-to-watch-in-new-hampshire/article_b6de3477-30bc-5e55-acbf-aecedf94e5ef.html|title=Navarrette: One to watch in New Hampshire|work=News Journal|date=January 15, 2014|access-date=September 18, 2014}}{{cite web|url=http://www.latinomagazine.com/winter10/features/changing.htm|title=Changing of the Guard|work=Latino Magazine|date=Winter 2010|access-date=September 18, 2014}}

Garcia lives in Salem, New Hampshire.{{cite web|url=http://www.unionleader.com/article/20131022/NEWS0602/131029779 |title=John DiStaso's Granite Status: Rep. Marilinda Garcia tells fellow Republicans she's eyeing a run for Congress | New Hampshire Granite Status |publisher=Unionleader.com |date=October 15, 2013 |access-date=October 23, 2013}} Garcia plays the harp in "The Seraphim Duo" with her sister, Bianca, also a former New Hampshire Representative, who plays the flute.{{cite web |url=http://www.nhmagazine.com/Calendar/index.php/name/Art-in-the-Mills/event/8562/ |title=Art in the Mills |publisher=Nhmagazine.com |date=October 4, 2013 |access-date=October 23, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131029195239/http://www.nhmagazine.com/Calendar/index.php/name/Art-in-the-Mills/event/8562/ |archive-date=October 29, 2013 |url-status=dead }}{{cite web|last=O'Donnell |first=Jake |url=http://salem-nh.patch.com/groups/politics-and-elections/p/candidate-profile-bianca-garcia |title=Candidate Profile: Bianca Garcia – Government |publisher=Salem, NH Patch |date=September 8, 2012 |access-date=October 24, 2013}}

{{reflist|30em}}

{{Portal|Biography}}

• {{cite web|url=http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/house/members/member.aspx?member=376745|title=Representative Marilinda Garcia|publisher=New Hampshire General Court}}
• [https://archive.today/20131024014836/http://rlcnh.org/candidates/marilinda-garcia/ Republican Liberty Caucus of New Hampshire]
• {{CongLinks | congbio= | votesmart=69075 | fec= | congress= }}
• {{C-SPAN|71921}}
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20131204192307/http://www.elect-mari.com/ Official campaign site]
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20140606232023/http://home.comcast.net/~marilinda.garcia/ Official site (musician)]

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Category:1983 births

Category:Living people

Category:American women harpists

Category:American people of Italian descent

Category:American politicians of Mexican descent

Category:American people of Spanish descent

Category:Harvard Kennedy School alumni

Category:Republican Party members of the New Hampshire House of Representatives

Category:New England Conservatory alumni

Category:Politicians from Boston

Category:People from Salem, New Hampshire

Category:Tufts University alumni

Category:Women state legislators in New Hampshire

Category:Gordon College (Massachusetts) faculty

Category:Phillips Exeter Academy faculty

Category:Hispanic and Latino American women in politics

Category:21st-century American women politicians

Category:American women academics

Category:21st-century members of the New Hampshire General Court