Joe Garcia

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Joe Garcia
Democratic Party candidate for
U.S. House of Representatives from Florida's 25th District
Election date
November 2, 2010
Incumbent vacant
Personal details
Born October 12, 1963 (1963-10-12) (age 48)
Political party Democratic Party
Spouse(s) Aileen Ugalde (m. 1992)
Children Gabriella (b. 1998)
Residence Miami, Florida
Alma mater Belen Jesuit Preparatory School
University of Miami (B.A.)
University of Miami Law School (J.D.)
Website http://www.joegarcia2010.com/

Joe Garcia (born Jose Antonio Garcia on October 12, 1963) is a Miami-based lawyer and 2010 Democratic nominee for Florida's 25th congressional district. He is the former executive director of the Cuban American National Foundation and was nominated by President Barack Obama to be director of the Office of Minority Economic Impact and Diversity of the United States Department of Energy[1]

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[edit] Early life and education

Jose Antonio Garcia, Jr. was born in Miami Beach, Florida, to Jose Garcia Sr. and his wife, Carmen; both of Garcia's parents had fled Cuba after Fidel Castro and his regime instituted Communism and dictatorship. Garcia graduated in 1982 from Belen Jesuit Preparatory School and attended Miami-Dade Community College before earning his Bachelor of Arts degree in political science and public affairs from the University of Miami in 1987. While at the U of M, Garcia was elected president of student government. Garcia later earned his J.D. from the University of Miami School of Law in 1991.[2]

[edit] Career

Garcia served on the Florida Public Service Commission (FPSC) and also served as its chairman.[2] While serving on the FPSC, he also was chair of the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners (NARUC). He was also Second Vice-Chair of the Southeastern Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners (SEARUC). Garcia was also appointed to the Federal Communications Commission Federal-State Joint Board on Universal Service. Garcia was a member of the National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials (NALEO).[3]


Garcia served on the board of the Spanish American League Against Discrimination (SALAD) and on the board of directors of Regis House, a drug addiction treatment and prevention center for inner-city youth in Miami. Garcia is a member of the board of directors of the Cuban American National Foundation, and is a past president. He also has served as director of the New Democrat Network Hispanic Strategy Center, and chairman of the Democratic Party of Miami-Dade County.[3]

In 2009, Garcia joined the Obama administration as director of the Office of Minority Economic Impact for the Department of Energy.[2]

[edit] 2009 Energy Department, Director of Economic Impact

As director of the Office of Economic Impact, Garcia worked closely with small business owners to increase their participation in the energy sector. He focused on the cause of women and minorities within the federal government by partnering with minority serving institutions, like Florida International University. As head of the Civil Rights office, Garcia worked to ensure that institutions that received money from the federal government did not discriminate against women and minorities.[3]

During his tenure at the Energy Department, Garcia was also appointed by President Barack Obama to the Task Force on Puerto Rico's Status. On the Task Force, Garcia focused on lowering energy costs in Puerto Rico and pushed for renewable energy projects on the island of Vieques.[3]

[edit] Political campaigns

[edit] 2008 U.S. Congressional campaign

Garcia announced on February 7, 2008, his candidacy for the U.S. Congress in Florida's 25th congressional district. Garcia proved to be a prolific fundraiser, raising over $1.8 million, but was narrowly defeated by Mario Diaz-Balart.

[edit] 2010 U.S. Congressional campaign

In April 2010, Joe Garcia announced his candidacy for Congress in Florida's 25th Congressional District after Mario Diaz-Balart announced he would not seek re-election in that seat. In his campaign announcement, Garcia noted he would focus on job creation, funding education and health care as his top priorities.[2]

In the general election, Garcia faced State Representative David Rivera, Tea Party nominee Roly Arrojo, and Florida Whig Party nominee Craig Porter.

Garcia was endorsed by President Obama, the Miami Herald, Commissioner Katy Sorenson, Florida City Mayor Otis Wallace, City of Homestead Mayor Steven C. Bateman, Homestead Vice Mayor Judy Waldman, Cutler Bay Mayor Paul Vrooman, HRC, United Teachers of Dade, Air Traffic Controllers, Laborers Union and the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee.[4]

Rivera defeated Garcia on November 2, 2010.[5]


[edit] Personal life

Garcia was married to Aileen Maria Ugalde, general counsel for the University of Miami. They have one daughter, Gabriela.[2]

[edit] References

  • Clark, Lesley "3 Fla Congressional Candidates in Spotlight", The Miami Herald, August 27, 2008, page A2
  • Padgett, Tim "Big Trouble in Little Havana", Time Magazine, August 15, 2008
  • Rieff, David "Will Little Havana Go Blue?", The New York Times, July 13, 2008

[edit] External links

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