House Speaker Nancy Pelosi administered the oath to Garcia and Wisconsin Rep. Tom Tiffany, who also won a special election last Tuesday.
“It is a huge honor that has been bestowed upon me to represent you in this body,” Garcia said after the ceremony in a message to his constituents. “I do it with humility and with hopefully performance that represents all of us in the 25th District.”
On his new congressional Twitter account, @RepMikeGarcia1, he wrote, “Will be an advocate for lower taxes, job creation and safely getting people back to work.”
House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy tweeted, “It is my honor to welcome the newest member of the House of Representatives — Republican from California — Mike Garcia! Veteran. Businessman. Family man. And first-generation American. Mike is the definition of the American dream.”
Garcia defeated Democratic Assemblywoman Christy Smith to fill the remaining seven months of Hill’s term. The pair will square off again in November for the right to hold the seat for a full two-year term.
In an editorial posted on its website Thursday, The Wall Street Journal declared, “Democrats think they’ll have an edge with higher turnout. But Mr. Garcia’s victory shows that the politics of 2020 are more fluid and competitive than the progressive media consensus believes.”
The results of the election have not been certified, although Smith has conceded defeat and Garcia has maintained a roughly 10-point lead.
Garcia’s victory marks the first time a Republican has won a congressional seat in California that had been held by a Democrat since 1998, when then-Assemblyman Steve Kuykendall defeated Janice Hahn to win the South Bay seat vacated by Jane Harman to unsuccessfully run for governor. Harman defeated Kuykendall in 2000.
Garcia is a graduate of Saugus High School and the U.S. Naval Academy. He was a Navy fighter pilot during the Iraq War and became an executive with the aerospace firm Raytheon Co.
Garcia announced his candidacy on April 10, 2019, slightly more than three months after Hill took office. He said his experience in the aerospace industry “along with my military credentials makes me uniquely qualified to tackle the national security issues this nation is facing.”
The 25th Congressional District includes the portions of the Antelope Valley, Santa Clarita Valley, the northern San Fernando Valley, and eastern Ventura County.
Hill announced her resignation Oct. 27 and it became effective Nov. 3, following the release of salacious photos online and allegations of an extramarital affair with a staff member.
Honored to be sworn in as the next Congressman for #CA25. Will be an advocate for lower taxes, job creation and safely getting people back to work. pic.twitter.com/bUeIejeUXG
— Rep. Mike Garcia (@RepMikeGarcia1) May 19, 2020
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Chris N says
This is awesome! I’m so glad a conservative views won the day, come on November!
William says
What’s Garcia gonna run on between now and November, sitting on his butt?
The Republican potted plants have to be careful or else.
It doesn’t take any courage to be a House Republican, just obedience.
William says
I wonder what Mike Garcia will have to say about this.
Trump’s administration will pull the National Guard off COVID-19 duties 1 day before they are to receive benefits at their 90 day mark.
Just like Trump to screw them like he does everyone, i.e. Trump “universtiy” students, Trump “charity” donors, the people who voted for him who are out of work right now and so on.
Oh, yes, they voted for Trump and are hurting right now in various ways and they are aiming their anger at Democrats just like he does. It’s called “deflecting”. See Trumpist#1’s comments for examples.
Ron says
Democracts would keep the country on lockdown for a year if they could. DEMOCRATS will turn every city into a 3rd world dump. Think how many jobs that would be lost with their New Green Deal. They would kill everybody’s jobs. DEMOCRATS would have us back to horse and buggy. No gas cars, no airplanes, no cows, Etc.
Ron says
Get rid of these Evil Do Nothing DEMOCRATS who just bash Trump. They done NOTHING BUT HATE TRUMP!!! DEMOCRATS will turn America into a Communist Country. Get them Out of Office!!!
Cynic says
Don’t you think it’s pathetic to tether your identity to Trump? Who cares if they bash Trump. Politics should be about ideas and policy. A political party or politician is simply the tool to get those ideas implemented. If the politician no longer represents those ideas, then dump him and move on. Are you ok with massive trillion dollar deficits even prior to the current economic crisis? Because that’s precisely what the “party of fiscal responsibility” was doing under Trump. Do you like a President who rules by decree with bogus national emergencies to bypass Congress, which is a blatantly unconstitutional move?
Trump supporters fall into two camps:
a) They admit he’s an idiot and wish he’d act Presidential, but they like his Supreme Court picks or irresponsible tax cuts and prefer him to the alternative. Whatever, fair enough. At least they’re not deluding themselves about the buffoon that Trump is.
b) They drank the kool aid. They think he’s the greatest President in recent memory. They love that he thrashes democratic and Presidential norms in order to “own the libs”. The supporters who fall into this camp have double digit IQs and are a real life example of the film “Idiocracy”. It sounds like you fall into this camp, Ron.
Trumpist#1 says
Trump is real, not a mealy-mouthed politically correct and corrupt POS like Obama, and really any other politician.
What you see is what you get and that’s why WE elected him. He’s not a politician. We appreciate his policies and his guts to tell it like he sees it.
I won’t ever have the patience for the next pretty face or “progressive” politician without courage to speak his real mind. Most tell us what they think will get them re-elected. That’s what you want??
And it takes courage for Ron to express his opinion here because we’re behind enemy lines here in the Socialist People’s Republic of Kalistan and will be attacked by unpatriotic, progressive snowflakes that defend red Chiiina and need their safe spaces.
And hell yeah, I’m a proud TRUMPIST, TRUMPIST, TRUMPIST!!!!!
You’re not and you should be ashamed. He’s your duly elected president. What do you think will happen to the next Democratic POTUS? It won’t be pretty,
Yeah, yeah, I know. I love you too.
William says
President Obama, Governor Newsome, Speaker Pelosi et al were “duly elected” politicans and they got criticized and hated by the very same people that call Trump critics “haters”.
Trumpers are such thin-skinned pussies just like their leader hisself. He said he has had it worse than Abraham Lincoln. Such an ignornant baby he is.
And, so are his cult members.
When Trump is gone so is the Republican party. He killed it or more accurately it committed suicide.
Then, President Joe Biden will clean up the mess like Presidents Clinton and Obama had to do after Republcians Bush and Bush.
Repubican presidents can’t govern and they can’t protect us. Think 9/11 and Katrina too. They were warned and did nuttin’ well, except tax cuts. Some tax cut Trump gave the country that it’s paying for now…..BIG TIME.
In a democracy ignorant people can vote too and when they win everyone loses. Trump has proven that.
“I love the uneducated.” – Donald J. Trump Who do you think put him over the top? They are so dumb they haven’t yet realized their big mistake and will vote for him again unless the hydroxychlororquine does him in first.
Trumpist#1 says
Sir William:
Katrina? Who are you, Kanye West? He blamed stupid little Bush (the worst POTUS ever) for a natural hurricane. You have more brains than that. Get real. Or as your hero Sleepy Joe says: “Come on man”.
But both Clinton and Bush 43 could have/should have stopped bin Laden.
No-Go Joe Biden’s mind is shot now. Imagine what brains he’ll have left in 8 years. He’ll sleep while deep-state socialists he appoints take away our freedoms.
At least Republicans (retch, ralph) are strong on defense and are not socialist. That is my main concern about Democrats (retch, puke).
Trumpist Zero (formerly InDepends)
Laughing says
The orange one is a paid reality TV actor hired by major corporations to gain control of the government in order to remove restrictions.
He is not a skilled actor, often forgetting his lines.
The heads of agencies rotate in and out and always change regulations for the area of interest the companies they came from are involved in.
This is why he is always worried about his ratings. Afraid his show might be cancelled.
The star needed a good looking wife (she being a model and royal looking helped with the decision of who to hire)
The party to run the candidate in was easy, since the actor already noted which one would easiest to convince.
–Just a random thought line–
Alexis says
It doesn’t take courage to say the most vile things about an entire race of people. It doesn’t take courage to threaten people online by saying “I hope ICE comes for you.” It doesn’t take courage to condemn our beautiful state and the people in it by using insulting terms like “Mexifornia,” “Socialist People’s Republic of Kalistan,” and so on .
Trumpist#1 says
I hope ICE comes and takes every illegal in this valley. I’ll email them right now to please come enforce US laws.
You moved to Tehachapi so why don’t you scold them like a constipated school marm and act holier than thou over there?
Did I hurt your wittle feelings by insulting your POS state? Mexifornia is a hybrid US and Mexican territory with the spawn of socalist illegals running it. There. Is that more direct?
If you want to continue personal attacks, if you want to poke the bear, you get get you get, and then you can’t cry about it like a wittle baby that I hurt your tender wittle feelings and you need a safe space from big mean Trumpist.
And since you won’t stop, yes you did say that flu is more dangerous than COVID, you lying POS.
Alexis says
You don’t hurt my feelings T#1. I have long history in the A.V., as I came to this area a very long time ago. First we moved to Edwards, then to Lancaster, and also to Palmdale and surrounding areas, so I consider myself qualified to give my opinions regarding the A.V.. I have deep ties in the A.V., although I am living in Tehachapi presently. People like you that constantly complain about the A.V. and California can hope for ICE to come for the “illegal aliens” but the fact is undocumented workers contribute to this economy in a very big way, so hope away whiner. NO, NO, NO, dear T#, I did not say the flu was more dangerous, but Trump did. Calling me a lying POS is a compliment coming from you, you emotional wreck.
Alexis says
T#1; Trump, the master of lies and not even able to remember all his lies, and you, Trump follower, calling me a lying POS is truly beyond incredible. This is why a liar (you) calling me a liar is a compliment. You’re always telling people to move, why don’t you move since you have nothing positive to say about this great state of California and the people in it. Take Ron with you and anyone else that keeps complaining about how awful California is.
Alexis says
Here’s something else for you, T#1, and Ron to ponder. Undocumented immigrants working as housekeepers and landscaping for Trump properties. Oh yes, after he was busted he said they were all fired, but after the dust settled he kept other undocumented immigrants working for him and is lying about it. Maybe you can email ICE and tell them to enforce the US laws at Trump’s properties.
Ron says
What has Nancy and rest DONE? They do nothing for the homeless, let dangerous people out of jail, no bail, care more about illegals than Americans. Want open borders, allow heroin addicts shoot up and crap on the streets. Raise taxes, How about take care of Americans. Put Americans first. Time to send illegals home. We got too many.
Alexis says
Oh Ron; read your comment again, no never mind. Plenty is being done for the homeless, also, undocumented immigrant should be cared for as well as our citizens, because hard working immigrants pay taxes too, which I have already explained to you. The “heroin addicts that shoot up and crap on the streets” are mostly Americans such as veterans struggling with mental health issues. Your entire comment contradicts itself.
William says
Alexis, Ron is simply bouncing off the walls in all CAPS.
He must be hurtin’ really bad and has to turn it on Democrats who aren’t responsible for the mess Trump’s slow response has caused this country.
He says that going on 100,000 deaths is a “badge of honor”. That is sick and Ron is sick.
Alexis says
You’re right. I’m getting too stressed out over these sick people, that want to stay sick.
AV Illegal says
Yup, look, they are even getting taxpayer stimulus money. I guess that is because they all pay payroll/income tax…..under someone else’s number.
Alexis says
AV Illegal: Most undocumented immigrants pay taxes because they are given an ITIN by the IRS.
William says
Garcia is no match for Speaker Nancy Pelosi.
That little ol’ grandma can “herd the cats through an airport” and he’ll be a big nothing in the Republican caucus.
Like I said, if he criticizes Trump, he’ll he’ll get a tweetstorm.
If he doesn’t, he’ll be like Steve Knight…a useless potted plant.
It takes no courage to be a Republican in Congress.
The RNC put him in the House. He did little for himself.
Trumpist#1 says
Wow, did the RNC pump big money into CA25. I must have gotten hundreds of 4-color process mailings which are expensive for 2 elections, and at least 2 robocalls every day. Of course, Katie Hill made it easier.
But I want the Republicans to retake the House, keep the Senate, and get Trump re-elected. Nah, forget re-elected, how about crowned and anointed emperor for life, or whatever would p!$$ off William, Bernie and Nancy Pelosi the most.
Ron says
Nancy has done NOTHING. SHE CANT EVEN CLEAN UP HER OWN CITY!!!
Trumpist#1 says
Ron:
You know there were no problems in the country, in this state, or in this county before Trump got elected. We know this because the Dims say so.
He’s caused hurricanes, homelessness, opioid addiction, earthquakes, floods, pandemics, crime, the bombing of Hiroshima, the 1918 flu, Mt. St. Helens, and so much more! We hear it so much it must be true. So as the Borg says: “You will assimilate. Resistance is futile”.
Facts, logic. law and patriotism aren’t relevant when TDS and ignorance compels them to hate our president. The Dims blame him for everything, like my wife blames me, lol.
MAGA ***** KAG ***** TRUMP 2024/2028/2032 then Pompeo
Trumpist#1 says
Congratulations and best of luck to Mike Garcia.
Just think how that must have stuck in crazy Nancy’s craw, lololol.
Let’s flip the House in November. I’m not a Republican, but the Democrats must not have power to implement socialism while No-Go Joe sleeps and the Chinese kill us.
**********MAGA*****KAG******TRUMP FOREVER**********
Cynic says
Here we go again. Another baseless diatribe from you.
Let’s see. Obama and Biden negotiated the Trans Pacific Partnership, which was a massive trade deal with many countries in China’s backyard. The goal was in part for the United States to expand its economic influence in East Asia. But Trump scrapped that because he lacks a basic understanding of Economics. Meanwhile, Trump was too scared to even recognize pro-democracy/anti-Beijing protesters in Hong Kong because he didn’t want to piss off China. And while Covid-19 was starting to spiral out of control, Trump insisted that Xi Jinping was doing a great job in China. Today, 90,000 American deaths later, Trump is unequivocally the weakest President on China. The facts bear that out.
Trumpist#1 says
If you don’t like my diatribes, GTFOH and go to red Chiiina with your fellow quislings and unpatriotic China apologists.
William says
Hey, Cynic
Did ya notice how Trumpist@1 didn’t, couldn’t and wouldn’t reply to the content of your post.
-that he said Xi Jinping was doing a great job back in January.
-that Trump was too scared to say anything about the protesters.
Trumpist#1 talks a big flaming Trump supporter game but distracts when he can’t defend or explain the obvious ignorance and weakness of Trump.
But, he’s in good company with the other Trump supporters here who do the same thing. They all talk out of the same hole and think they so smart doing it.
I’ve never ever seen so many Stepford fools as are in Trump’s universe. The only thing distinguishing them from each other are their usernames.
Trumpist#1 says
LOL. You will assimilate. Resistance is futile.
No one could possibly respond to every negative opinion about Trump here, so I pick my spots.