Candidate for
Mayor; City of Long Beach

Dr. Robert Garcia, 36, is an accomplished educator, Vice Mayor of the City of Long Beach, and a member of the California Coastal Commission. He has taken a leadership role in balancing the city budget, reforming pensions, expanding park space, and investing in technology. Robert is committed to moving Long Beach forward by attracting tech and green jobs, creating new educational partnerships, and rebuilding our aging streets, sidewalks and alleys.

He is a member of the public policy and communications faculty at the University of Southern California, and has taught Communication Studies at both Cal State Long Beach and Long Beach City College. Robert's passion for education led him to pursue a Doctorate in Higher Education, which he was awarded in 2010 after publishing his dissertation on California's Master Plan for Education. Robert also holds a Masters Degree in Communication Management from the University of Southern California and a Bachelor's Degree in Communication Studies from California State University, Long Beach.

In 2007, Robert co-founded and launched the Long Beach Post, a Long Beach based media website and newspaper. The small business has grown into an important source for community information and has more than 40,000 online subscribers. Robert also serves as the Chair of the Long Beach Public Safety Committee and the Long Beach Housing Authority. He serves on both the Federal Legislative and State Legislative Council Committees.

Robert was born in Lima, Peru, and immigrated to the United States at age 5 with his family. He grew up in Covina, California and was raised by three strong women in his life - his mother, grandmother and aunt. Robert was the first person in his family to attend and graduate college. While at CSULB, Robert was elected student body president.

Robert has been named one of Long Beach's "Most Innovative Minds" by Long Beach Magazine, to the Advocate Magazine's 40 Under 40 List in 2010, and to Instinct Magazine's Leading Men in 2009.