Mike Garcia | Why a Candidate Runs for Office: It Matters

By Mike Garcia with the Santa Clarita Valley Signal

January 12, 2020

I have been running for California’s 25th Congressional District seat for almost a year. The competitors I was running against over the summer have all dropped out of the race, including Katie Hill. Today, with less than seven weeks until the primary and special election on March 3, I now have 17 total competitors who have recently joined the race. 

As a patriot, I encourage all Americans to participate in government. In that regard, this influx of candidates in the wake of the Hill resignation is encouraging. However, I come back to the question every voter should ask, “Why is this person running?” Since day one I have emphasized the importance of understanding “why” someone decides to run. The “why” defines the candidate’s true intentions. It defines allegiances and explains motives. It gives us insight into how they will behave and who they will really represent if elected. 

My reason for running is simple. I don’t want my country to turn into what my state has become. California is an example of what a tax-and-spend government without strong leaders looks like: high taxes, poor management of tax dollars, and terrible results. When I see Hill and Christy Smith in office or running to represent us, I cannot simply sit on the sidelines. Frankly, I can’t afford it. None of us can.

I am running because I feel strongly that our nation is forgetting about our history and the importance of the Constitution, capitalism and competition (what I have dubbed “the three big C’s”). My allegiance is only to the United States and my motives are driven by a desire to see this great nation thrive for centuries to come. It was the same driving force behind my decision to join the Navy and fly F/A-18 Super Hornets in combat in the skies over Iraq. 

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