WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congressman-Elect Robert Garcia has been elected to serve as House Freshman Class President of the 118th United States Congress. He is the first openly-LGBTQ+ person to hold this position.

“It’s an incredible honor to have been elected Freshman Class President,” said Garcia. “We have important work ahead of us and I’m looking forward to the strength our class will bring to the Democratic Caucus and the country.”

After losing both his mom, a healthcare worker, and stepfather to COVID-19, Robert vowed to work as hard as he could to ensure other families wouldn't experience the same loss. He threw himself into expanding Long Beach's mobile testing and vaccination efforts — lifesaving programs that went on to receive national recognition.

The White House called Long Beach’s vaccination efforts “a national model” for reaching underserved communities of color. 

Garcia was also tapped as one of the keynote speakers for the 2020 Democratic National Convention.

Since winning his election, Garcia has already begun helping House Democrats. He raised more than $130,000 for over 50 Democratic candidates in close races this election cycle. He has also gained recognition for taking on GOP members of Congress. 

With his election in November 2022, Garcia is set to become the first openly LGBTQ+ immigrant to serve in Congress. 

He will represent California’s 42nd District which includes the cities of Downey, Long Beach, Lakewood, Bellflower, Bell Gardens, Commerce, Vernon, Maywood, Bell, Cudahy, Huntington Park, Walnut Park and the unincorporated community of Florence-Firestone in Los Angles County.

He is married to Matthew Mendez Garcia, a professor of political science at California State University, Long Beach.