Sylvia Garcia

Called to Serve 

From a humble farming community in South Texas to the halls of Congress, Rep. Sylvia Garcia’s life has been defined by hard work, perseverance, and a relentless commitment to public service. The eighth of ten children, she grew up watching her parents struggle to provide for their family, yet they instilled in her a belief that with education and determination, anything was possible. Guided by those lessons, Garcia earned a scholarship to Texas Woman’s University and later a law degree from the Thurgood Marshall School of Law at Texas Southern University, working multiple jobs to pay tuition. Every step of the way, Garcia carried with her the drive to serve her community and open doors of opportunity for others.

Her career in public service began as director and presiding judge of the Houston Municipal Court System, where she served five terms under two mayors. In 1998, she was elected city controller, becoming Houston’s chief financial officer and second highest elected official. She quickly earned a reputation as a watchdog for taxpayers, fighting for transparency, accountability, and fairness for working families.

After two terms as controller, she was elected to the Harris County Commissioner’s Court, becoming the first Latina and the first woman elected to that office in her own right. There, she championed working families, expanded economic opportunity, and ensured the county prioritized its most vulnerable residents

Fighting for Texans 

Rep. Garcia was sworn into the Texas Senate in 2013 after winning a special election to represent District 6. She became the seventh woman and the third Latina woman to serve in the state’s upper chamber. Over three terms, she stood up for veterans, immigrant communities, reproductive rights, and access to affordable care. She passed landmark legislation including the Relationship Privacy Act, which outlawed revenge pornography, and the Truckers Against Trafficking Bill, which required training to fight human trafficking. She also secured stronger school bus safety standards across Texas.

In 2018, Rep. Garcia was elected to represent Texas’s 29th Congressional District. She became the first Latina member of Houston’s congressional delegation and one of the first two Latinas to represent Texas in Congress. In her first year, she played a leading role in the impeachment investigation of Donald Trump and was selected as one of seven impeachment managers to present the case to the Senate and the American people. She was the first Latina and one of the first three women in history to serve as an impeachment manager in a presidential trial.

Protect Texas’s Voters

Despite Texas Republicans attempting to draw Rep. Garcia out of her seat following Trump’s orders, Rep. Garcia is ready to take on the fight by running in 29th Congressional District to continue serving Texans. EMILYs List is proud to stand with her as she leads the fight to protect our rights and take back the House.