Sylvia Garcia
| Sylvia R. Garcia | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Garcia in 2013 | |
| Member of the Texas Senate from the 6th district | |
| Incumbent | |
| Assumed office 2013 | |
| Preceded by | Mario Gallegos, Jr. |
| Personal details | |
| Born | September 6, 1950 Palito Blanco, Texas |
| Nationality | American |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Residence | Houston |
| Alma mater | Texas Woman's University, Thurgood Marshall School of Law at Texas Southern University |
| Occupation | Attorney |
| Committees | Government Organization, Intergovernmental Relations, Jurisprudence, and Nominations |
| Website | Official website |
Sylvia R. Garcia (born September 6, 1950) is an American politician who represents District 6 in the Texas Senate.
Early life and education
Sylvia Garcia was born in Palito Blanco, Texas. She was the eighth of ten children.
Garcia attended Texas Woman's University on a scholarship, graduating with a degree in social work. After completing her studies, she began her career as a social worker. She later received her Doctor of Jurisprudence degree from Thurgood Marshall School of Law at Texas Southern University.[1]
Political career
City of Houston
In the early 1980s, Houston Mayor Kathryn Whitmire appointed Garcia as presiding judge of the Houston Municipal System.[2] She served for an unprecedented five terms under two mayors.[3]
In 1998, Garcia became Houston city controller.[4]
Harris County
Garcia was elected to the Harris County Commissioner's Court in 2002. She was the first woman and first Latina elected to that post in her own right.[1] Her precinct featured a major base of operations for NASA, the nation’s largest petrochemical complex, the Houston Ship Channel and the Port of Houston, the sixth largest port in the world.[4]
Garcia was defeated by Republican Jack Morman in 2010.[5]
Texas Legislature
Garcia represents District 6 in the Texas Senate. In 2013, she defeated State Rep. Carol Alvarado in a special election runoff to replace the late Sen. Mario Gallegos.[6]
Garcia took the oath of office on March 11, 2013.[7] She serves on the Government Organization, Intergovernmental Relations, Jurisprudence, and Nominations committees.[8]
Garcia faces re-election in 2016 as, early in the 83rd Session, a proxy for Garcia drew a four-year term for the yet undecided senator from District 6.[9]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 "Senator Sylvia Garcia: District 6". Texas State Senate.
- ↑ "History in the making in this year's election". University of Houston-Clear Lake.
- ↑ "TMSL Alumni". Texas Southern University.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 "Texas State Directory". Texas State Directory.
- ↑ "Harris County Commissioner Sylvia Garcia loses seat to political newcomer". KHOU.
- ↑ "Sylvia Garcia Defeats Alvarado in Senate Runoff". News 92 FM.
- ↑ "Sylvia Garcia, newest state senator, sworn in". KXAN.
- ↑ "Texas Tribune - State Sen. Sylvia R. Garcia". Texas Tribune.
- ↑ "Political futures at risk as Senators draw terms". Houston Chronicle.
| Texas Senate | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Mario Gallegos, Jr. |
Texas State Senator from District 6 (Houston) 2013 – present |
Incumbent |
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