Candidate for
Member; California State Assembly; District 80

Bonnie Garcia, the Republican nominee for the 80th State Assembly District, is a living example of the American dream.

One of five children, Bonnie was born on the lower east side of New York to teen parents who later divorced. Early in life, however, she called upon her indomitable spirit to overcome crushing poverty and a crime-ridden neighborhood. She served as student government President, was active in her church and served as a role model to her peers.

Bonnie married U.S. Marine Javier Garcia, and in 1985, the two settled in Southern California where Javier was stationed at Twenty-Nine Palms Marine Base. He later began a career in law enforcement as an officer with the Indio Police Department, and now serves as an investigator with the District Attorney's office in Riverside County. They reside in Cathedral City with their two children -- Melissa, age 17 and Javier, age 14.

Bonnie has worked hard to create a better life for herself and her family. After many years of taking night and weekend classes, she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Workforce Education and Development from Southern Illinois University. She has had a diverse and multi-faceted career, working both in public service and in business for herself.

Her career in public service spans more than a decade, during which she has acquired expertise in public administration, public safety and quality housing. Bonnie has worked for two Southern California cities, where she led teams to address the escalating crime wave targeting abandoned buildings and substandard housing.

Bonnie drew upon this experience when opening her consulting business, and contracted with the City of Coachella to serve as the city's first Director of Housing and Neighborhood Services. In that capacity, she partnered with the Police Department to secure over $1.5 million in grants to assist low-income homeowners with repairs, clean up blighted areas, and establish neighborhood crime prevention programs.

Bonnie currently works as a senior legislative aide for Senator Jim Battin, overseeing all local government and public safety programs and implementing educational outreach within the Hispanic community.

Bonnie is active in her community and currently serves on the boards of several organizations, including the Coachella Valley Health Partnership, the DCA Riverside County Energy Task Force Committee, the FISH food bank, and the Inland Empire Community Development Corporation (an agency that provides small business loans to women and minorities).

She was instrumental in forming the Cathedral City anti-gang unit, GRASP, and is actively involved in local schools, sports and neighborhood organizations. She also serves as a frequent guest speaker for schools, and organizations committed to assisting people with overcoming obstacles in their lives.

For her exemplary community service, Bonnie earned recognition as the 1991 City of Coachella Employee of the Year, the 1994 City of San Bernardino Woman of Achievement Award, and the 80th Assembly District Woman of the Year for 1997.

Bonnie's platform for State Assembly combines her compassion for the underrepresented community with her commitment to fiscal responsibility. She will make education, economic opportunity, access to affordable health care and public safety her top priorities.

Bonnie Garcia's background and array of experience have perfectly prepared her to address the diverse needs of the constituents of the 80th Assembly District. She is a living example of the American Dream -- achieving success through hard work and education, while remaining committed to helping others less fortunate.

Friends of Bonnie Garcia • P.O. Box 1595 • Cathedral City, CA 92235 TEL 760.773.0004 • FAX 760.341.6356 • E-Mail bonnie@bonniegarcia.com