Sylvia Garcia

Sylvia R. Garcia
Sylvia 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

Texas Senate
Preceded by
Mario Gallegos, Jr.
Texas State Senator
from District 6 (Houston)

2013 present
Incumbent