​​Councilmember Carlos Garcia's Biography

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Carlos Garcia was sworn in as the District 8 Phoenix City Councilmember on June 6, 2019. He is focused on making his office accessible to all and on putting people first.

He has championed hundreds of community projects while in office, including: new park developments and redevelopments, resources for people without shelter, infrastructure improvements, and art projects throughout the district. Carlos has increased accessibility to City Hall by having a mobile office throughout the district, launching a participatory budgeting program so that neighborhoods have a direct say on how their tax-payer dollars are used, hosting in person budget meetings in different parts of his district (while the City only hosts them at City Hall), and by surveying residents about new developments.

During the pandemic, Carlos worked with his colleagues to ensure the safety of Phoenicians and City employees and made sure federal dollars went to the most impacted. He advocated and won: direct financial assistance for families in need, digital access for children and seniors, food and farming programs, small business grants, arts grants, mental and behavioral health support, and more. 

He has also successfully changed City policies to create a safer and inclusive city for all. Carlos championed the Office of Accountability and Transparency, a public health officer for the City, and the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.

His work stands on the belief that diverse people with common struggles and vision have the power to change the course of history.​​​​

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About Councilmember Garcia:

Before being elected to Phoenix City Council, Carlos spent the prior 16 years of his life fighting for social justice in Arizona and across the country.

He was born in Cananea, Sonora, Mexico and migrated to Arizona at the age of five. He grew up in South Tucson where he was raised by his mother and grandfather. 

After graduating from Arizona State University and experiencing family separation first-hand, Carlos co-founded the non-profit Puente Human Rights Movement and served as its Executive Director for nine years. 

His organizing and movement building has been used as a model all over the nation to fight for migrant rights. He was a key player in defeating former Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio and in challenging the notorious racial profiling law SB 1070.  Carlos has been a key player in the transformational change of Arizona by co-founding One Arizona, a non-profit coalition focused on civic engagement. 

Currently, Carlos lives in South Phoenix with his wife, Alexis, a teacher, union leader and board member of the Roosevelt School District and their two children, Chimal and Yaretzi. They enjoy cheering on Chimal at basketball games at the Kroc Center and at chess tournaments.​