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“Mike Garcia betrayed his district and his country by caving to the most extreme of his party. MAGA Mike’s dangerous record of mocking Capitol Police and attacking reproductive rights is at odds with his highly competitive new district. Christy Smith is well prepared for a rematch and offers the residents of CA-27 the commonsense pragmatism that Garcia abandoned for the radical fringe of his party a long time ago.” – DCCC Chairman Sean Patrick Maloney
To: Interested Parties
From: Maddy Mundy, DCCC Regional Press Secretary
Date: June 8th, 2022
Subject: The Case Against Mike Garcia
Mike Garcia was elected to office touting his experience as a veteran. On January 6th, 2021, Mike Garcia betrayed his sacred oath to his country, voting to throw out Americans’ votes and perpetuating the same conspiracy that led to a deadly attack on our Capitol. Since that day, Garcia has emboldened anti-democratic forces, lauded QAnon conspiracists, and even called the Capitol Police ‘the Gestapo.’
Now, Mike Garcia finds himself as one of the most vulnerable Republicans in the country. Previously, he barely eked out a win over Democrat Christy Smith by just 333 votes. With redistricting, Garcia’s path to re-election has become even more murky, while Smith is running off of the strong name ID secured through her previous congressional run.
Christy Smith is a 40-year resident of the City of Santa Clarita who fought for Californians in the state legislature. Her experience as a former U.S. Department of Education policy analyst and current member of a state environmental council allows her to bring nonpartisan expertise to a divided Congress. While Republicans like Mike Garcia push a deeply unpopular MAGA agenda, Christy Smith will fight for the hardworking families of this Biden +12.6 district.
WHAT THEY’RE SAYING
Politico: MIKE GARCIA goes full MAGA [Politico, May 10, 2021]
“GOP Rep. Mike Garcia — who won his CA-25 swing seat in 2020 by a razor-thin 333 votes — was showered with cheers for his robust endorsement of Trump’s agenda and hardcore appeal to MAGA values.”
Los Angeles Times: Rep. Mike Garcia’s voting record: Will it be an obstacle to reelection? [Los Angeles Times, July 5, 2021]
“The congressman, whose district includes northern Los Angeles County, omitted other parts of his record: Voting against the certification of electoral votes in Pennsylvania and Arizona that helped cement Joe Biden’s presidential victory. Opposing the impeachment of President Trump for his role in the Jan. 6 insurrection. Standing against legalizing Dreamers and reauthorizing the Violence Against Women Act. Cosponsoring legislation that would effectively ban all abortion and some forms of birth control.
“Garcia, who won his seat by 333 votes in November, is up for reelection next year in what is expected to be among the most contested congressional races in the nation.”
Los Angeles Times: Endorsement: Christy Smith for Congress [May 16, 2022]
“Incumbent GOP Rep. Mike Garcia is seeking reelection after a term in office in which he proved to be a Trump enabler and a threat to democracy. He was among the Republican extremists who, outrageously, tried to throw out the votes from Arizona and Pennsylvania by voting against certifying Joe Biden’s 2020 election. And even though Trump incited violent mobs who attacked the Capitol in an attempt to stop the certification process, Garcia voted against impeaching Trump for his role in the Jan. 6 insurrection.
“Garcia declined our invitation for an interview (as he did two years ago when he was running for the first time), so we didn’t get to ask him why voters should trust him with their votes when he’s willing to throw out votes cast by other Americans.”
Politico: Abortion counteroffensive could buoy California Dems [May 18, 2022]
“Frontline Republican incumbents are already feeling the heat. After barely winning his Los Angeles district in 2022, Republican Rep. Mike Garcia is getting hammered over his abortion stance.”
American Independent: House Republican allegedly failed to properly disclose finances and stock trades [July 14, 2021]
“California Rep. Mike Garcia (R) appears to have allegedly violated federal laws requiring transparency for lawmakers who own and trade stocks.”
MAGA REPUBLICAN MIKE GARCIA COMPLICIT IN INSURRECTION
Mike Garcia campaigned on his record of service to our country, but Garcia betrayed his oath when he attempted to void Americans’ sacred votes and overturn the results of the 2020 election.
Following the insurrection, Garcia has only continued his assault against our democracy: He voted against an independent commission to hold those responsible for the January 6th insurrection accountable. He even called the Capitol Police, some of whom made the ultimate sacrifice to protect our country, ‘the Gestapo.’
PUSHING A DANGEROUS MAGA AGENDA IN CONGRESS
Garcia showed his contempt for voters long before choosing to throw out their votes in 2021. In Congress, he has consistently voted against the interests of his district.
Garcia has campaigned on fully repealing the Affordable Care Act, despite the fact that some 1.6 million Californians annually rely on the ACA since its creation; with study after study showing the ACA has improved quality and access to health care. Still, Garcia insisted we need to get the ACA “off the books” and that he only supports Medicare “at certain levels.” Garcia has also rejected legislation to cap costs on sky-rocketing prescription drug costs, standing in the way of lifesaving measures as working families struggle to keep up with inflation.
Garcia’s record is gravely concerning considering Republicans’ announced agenda if they retake majorities in Congress. Republicans are campaigning on a plan to raise taxes on millions of Social Security recipients and low-income Americans, while sunsetting programs like Social Security and Medicare. Garcia’s extreme comments on Medicare show he would only be a rubber stamp on Republicans’ anti-middle class policies.
But taxes and health care are not the only issues where Garcia has pushed a dangerous MAGA agenda. He cruelly stood in the way of a path to citizenship for DREAMERS and the reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act. Garcia’s record on women’s health and safety issues are especially disturbing with the Supreme Court’s anticipated reversal of Roe v. Wade looming. Garcia has pursued draconian curbs to women’s reproductive health and freedoms. Garcia signed an amicus brief asking the Supreme Court to overturn Roe and Casey, voted against the Women’s Health Protection Act, and co-sponsored the Life at Conception Act, the federal personhood bill that would ban all abortions and certain types of birth control such as IUDs.
Republicans have made clear that in their crusade to dictate women’s personal health care choices, they will not stop at the overturn of fifty years of legal precedent encapsulated in Roe. With reports that Republicans will soon push for a nationwide abortion ban, the need to elect a representative who will fight for reproductive freedom has never been greater. A recent California statewide poll reveals Roe v. Wade is supported by Democrats, independents and Republicans; while experts predict reproductive rights will be a mobilizing factor among California swing voters this November.
Garcia has also faltered in the face of the gun violence epidemic gripping our country. In the wake of the Uvalde shooting and a mass shooting some sixty miles away in Orange County last month, Garcia’s opposition to common-sense gun violence reform is unconscionable. Days after the Uvalde massacre, Garcia accepted a $1,000 campaign contribution from a pro-gun group opposed to background checks. In 2021, Garcia voted against enhanced background checks. Garcia’s extreme MAGA votes are a slap in the face to his constituents who demand common sense measures to keep their communities safe.
PATH TO VICTORY
Mike Garcia is one of the most vulnerable Republicans in the country. Following redistricting, his new seat reflects the widest margin of any Republican in a Biden-won district — 12.6 points, up more than two points from previous district lines. Democrats now boast a near 12 point registration advantage over Republicans as well. Garcia’s re-election pathway is further diminished by how far right he has moved throughout his time in Congress.
Voters in California’s 27th Congressional district, which has grown more liberal and diverse due to Los Angeles’ suburban sprawl, will be repelled by Mike Garcia’s embrace of MAGA. In a year where reproductive rights and gun control are on the table, suburban, swing voters will reject Garcia’s dangerous extremism. Three hundred and thirty three votes kept Christy Smith from representing CA-27 voters in Washington two years ago. Now, in an even more favorable district and with a clear record of leadership to contrast against MAGA Mike, CA-27 voters are ready to send Christy Smith to Congress. |
