David Garcia (politician)

Garcia, a fourth generation Mexican-American, was born and raised in Mesa, Arizona.[3] He served as an infantryman in the United States Army.[4] Garcia graduated from Arizona State University with a B.A. in communication in 1993.[5] He also graduated from the University of Chicago with a M.A. in education research in 1997 and a Ph.D. in education research in 2002.[5]

An education researcher, Garcia previously worked in the Arizona Department of Education and currently works as an associate professor at ASU's Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College.[6] In 2014, Garcia ran unsuccessfully for state superintendent against Republican Diane Douglas.[7]

Despite his loss to Douglas, who was considered a historically weak candidate, Garcia announced his plan to challenge incumbent Republican Governor Doug Ducey in April 2017.[2] Garcia defeated state legislator Steve Farley in the August 2018 Democratic gubernatorial primary.[8]

While Garcia's 2014 bid attracted independent and Republican support, his 2018 campaign was considered progressive.[4] Garcia's 2018 bid focused on supporting Medicare for All,[9] raising income taxes to spend more on education initiatives,[10] and opposing a wall along Arizona's southern border with Mexico.[11] He also supported a “top-to-bottom” overhaul of ICE.[12] Garcia's candidacy for governor had been compared to the candidacies of Bernie Sanders and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.[13] In 2021, the Arizona Daily Star described Garcia as "a weak candidate with a campaign beset by missteps, including what was interpreted as a call for open borders".[14]

On Election Day, Garcia was defeated by Ducey, 56.0%-41.8%.[15][16]

Garcia is married to Lori Higuera, a corporate attorney in the Phoenix area.[17] They have two daughters.

• Garcia for Governor, campaign website