Robert Garcia (California assemblymember)
{{Short description|American politician}}
{{About|the Californian State Assembly member|the U.S. Representative|Robert Garcia (California congressman)}}
{{Infobox officeholder
| name = Robert Garcia
| image = Robert Garcia, 2024.jpg
| caption = Official portrait, 2024
| state_assembly = California
| district = 50th
| term_start = December 2, 2024
| term_end =
| predecessor = Eloise Reyes
| successor =
| birth_date =
| party = Democratic
| residence = Rancho Cucamonga, California
| website =
}}
Robert Garcia is an American politician serving in the California State Assembly from the 50th district since December 2, 2024. Prior to his election to the State Assembly, he was a trustee of the Etiwanda School District from 2016 until 2024.
Political career
In 2014, Garcia ran for the Etiwanda School District Board of Trustees, challenging its three incumbents, but did not win the election. Two years later, in 2016, two of the five seats on the board were up for election. Garcia ran again, this time against incumbents David Long and Cathline Fort. In the election, he secured second place, defeating Fort, while Long retained his seat.{{citation needed|date=December 2024}}
In 2024, Eloise Reyes announced her candidacy for the California State Senate, creating an open seat in the Assembly. Garcia declared his run to succeed her and received endorsements from Reyes and several other elected officials.{{cite web|url=https://www.fontanaheraldnews.com/news/robert-garcia-and-adam-perez-will-face-off-for-assembly-seat-in-november-election/article_2c33207c-ee48-11ee-b0e4-9f37bb431ec8.html|title= Robert Garcia and Adam Perez will face off for Assembly seat in November election |date=March 29, 2024|website=Fontana Herald News}}{{cite web|url=https://www.fontanaheraldnews.com/news/robert-garcia-is-endorsed-by-assemblymember-reyes-in-race-for-assembly-district-50-seat/article_f5eb054e-2fdd-11ee-ba25-130e50627fc0.html|title= Robert Garcia is endorsed by Assemblymember Reyes in race for Assembly District 50 seat |date=July 31, 2023|website=Fontana Herald News}} In the primary election, Garcia placed first, with fellow Democrat Adam Perez securing a distant second. In the general election, Garcia faced Perez in a contest between two Democrats. Garcia campaigned with the backing of the California Democratic Party and high-profile endorsements, including actress and activist Jane Fonda.{{cite web|url=https://www.politico.com/newsletters/california-playbook/2024/10/29/5-democratic-family-feuds-to-watch-on-election-day-00185987|title=5 Democratic family feuds to watch on Election Day|author=White, Jeremy B.|website=Politico|date=29 October 2024 }}{{cite web|url=https://www.sbsun.com/2024/09/19/whats-different-about-this-inland-assembly-race-hint-its-not-jane-fondas-involvement/|title= What's different about this Inland Assembly race? Hint: It's not Jane Fonda's involvement |date=October 3, 2024|author=Horseman, Jeff|website=San Bernardino Sun}} He won against Perez in the general election.{{cite web|url=https://advocacy.calchamber.com/2024/12/03/calchamber-small-business-policy-council-meeting-provides-updates-on-calosba-programs-state-races-and-key-legislative-wins/|title=CalChamber Small Business Policy Council Meeting Provides Updates on CalOSBA Programs, State Races and Key Legislative Wins|date=December 3, 2024|website=CalChamber}}