Houston residents are eagerly anticipating the upcoming mayoral election, where they will have the chance to choose a new leader for their city. With a diverse pool of candidates, ranging from seasoned politicians to fresh faces in the political arena, one individual has emerged as a standout contender: Gilbert Garcia. Although relatively new to politics, Garcia has made a significant impact on the Houston community and garnered attention for his vision and passion.

Garcia's journey began in Corpus Christi, Texas, where he grew up and completed his education in public schools. He broke barriers within his family by becoming the first to attend college, receiving a life-changing opportunity to study at Yale University. Since 1990, Houston has been his home, and he initially joined forces with former Mayor Henry Cisneros to establish the Cisneros Asset Management Company. Over time, Garcia climbed the ranks to become the company's President. He later joined Garcia Hamilton & Associates and currently serves as the Managing Partner, overseeing remarkable growth in the firm's fixed-income assets under management, which have soared from $200 million to an impressive $21 billion (as of March 16, 2023).

Before formally announcing his candidacy for mayor, Houston Style had the privilege of sitting down with Garcia to delve into his motivations. It quickly became apparent that Garcia exuded boundless energy and enthusiasm for envisioning a brighter future for Houston. His deep commitment to public service and community engagement was evident from the start. Garcia's passion for political involvement ignited during his college years when he successfully managed a City Council race for a female candidate. This experience, coupled with his work supporting Walter Mondale and representing Connecticut as a delegate at the Democratic National Convention, solidified his dedication to public service. Garcia's political journey continued as he served as the campaign chairman for Annise Parker during her initial mayoral run. Following the campaign (and successful election), Mayor Parker entrusted him with a pivotal role as the chairman of the Metro Board. Initially hesitant due to his limited recognition and unfamiliarity with transit issues, Garcia found Mayor Parker's perspective refreshing. She believed that his outsider status and business-oriented mindset could bring fresh solutions to the table. This marked the beginning of a transformative period for the Metro, which had been plagued by inefficiencies, funding challenges, and a lack of transparency.

Under Mayor Parker's guidance, Garcia and the Board embarked on a well-planned transformation. Their immediate focus was resolving ongoing lawsuits and rebuilding public trust through enhanced transparency. Their efforts paid off. However, with the election of a new mayor, Parker's appointees were replaced, bringing an end to Garcia's tenure. Garcia's experience on the Metro board left a lasting impression on him. It highlighted the potential impact of a business-oriented perspective on addressing city affairs. Recognizing a gap in understanding the challenges faced by small business owners among career politicians, Garcia saw an opportunity for transformation. He firmly believes that Houston needs a leader with a business mindset to reverse its trajectory, as unresolved issues, financial challenges, and governance concerns looms over the city. Gilbert's qualifications and determination make him confident that he is the best-equipped candidate to address these pressing issues and lead Houston towards a positive transformation.

As a Democrat, Gilbert emphasizes his willingness to work with individuals from all political affiliations, stressing that good government and prioritizing everyday people's needs are nonpartisan issues. He places great importance on city services. Recognizing the dire financial situation the city faces, Gilbert believes that taking decisive action is essential to ensure the provision of essential services. His approach involves conducting a thorough examination of the city's balance sheet, exploring alternative revenue generation methods, and evaluating opportunities for departmental consolidation to streamline operations and enhance efficiency.

Gilbert holds the belief that when it comes to public safety, defunding the police is often misunderstood, despite our efforts to thoroughly research the concept. Certain individuals argue that funds designated for the police should be utilized differently, asserting that the police force receives unnecessary resources. However, there are also communities that desire a stronger police presence. When addressing these questions from various communities at a town hall or similar event, it is important to consider alternative approaches. One idea is to adopt a neighborhood policing model, similar to the firefighter model, where police posts are established throughout the city. This would increase visibility and allow for quicker response times to crime scenes. Such arrangements could potentially be secured at no cost, as many would value having police officers present for added security. Ultimately, fostering better relationships, improving visibility, and enhancing response speed are key goals for a community-oriented policing approach.

When discussing important matters concerning the Houston community, Gilbert emphasizes that the residents deserve a higher level of service than what they are currently receiving in a city of such magnitude. He finds it disheartening that, even in the year 2023, a city like Houston, TX, with its impressive advancements and skyscrapers, still struggles to provide clean water to the public, evident by the need for boil water notices, especially on the city’s East Side. Gilbert believes that this issue stems from a lack of investment and neglect, highlighting the importance of transparency from the administration to inform the people about the true state of affairs. Once the residents are aware, they can adapt and take necessary action. Another concern Gilbert raises is the lengthy and cumbersome permitting process, which he has personally encountered. Whether it pertains to constructing a home or undertaking moderate-income housing projects, the permitting procedures have become overly time-consuming, creating unnecessary obstacles for small business owners. Gilbert believes that it is in the city's best interest to streamline and expedite these processes to facilitate growth and development.

Our final question to Mr. Gilbert Garcia: What happens if you are elected Mayor of Houston?

“One of my top priorities will be to gain a thorough understanding of the city's finances, as they are currently struggling. Just like you would want to know the financial situation of your own household, I will provide transparency and clarity on where things truly stand. I will implement cost-saving measures to ensure that we can allocate funds to the essential services that have been lacking for far too long. As a proven business person, I have successfully achieved this in the past, such as with Metro, which has a substantial budget. While I understand concerns about potential cuts to important departments, it is crucial to run the city like a business. If the business is facing losses, we must find ways to increase revenue or reduce expenses. It's the only way forward. By making Houston an appealing destination, we can generate revenue. The first step is to establish transparency and a clear understanding of the budget, as there has been a lack of transparency and a structural deficit. We need to assess the commitments and expenses beyond our revenue. Once we have a true picture, like a patient diagnosed with an illness, we can begin treatment. Implementing a hiring freeze, similar to what we did at Metro, can help us evaluate each department and identify opportunities for improvement and increased efficiency. “

“I am committed to engaging in open dialogue and actively seeking opportunities to connect with various communities. I am willing to speak wherever I am invited, as it allows me to continuously learn and gain valuable insights. Taking the initiative, I have personally met with elected officials and toured different districts. This hands-on approach enables me to truly understand the concerns and priorities that are important to the people, rather than imposing my own assumptions or ideas. Attending community meetings has been particularly enlightening. I intend to maintain this approach as it has proven to be a valuable and enriching experience for me.”

To learn more about Gilbert Garcia, visit www.GarciaforHouston.com.