About Joe
Joe Garcia has lived America’s promise and believes in it. That’s why he wants to keep fighting for us as our Congressman.
Joe has been a leader on issues that affect the lives of real people. Washington needs leaders like Joe with 20 years of experience solving problems and working across party lines to get things done.
FROM A HARD-WORKING FAMILY
Joe Garcia was born and raised in Miami, Florida. His parents, Joe Sr. and Carmen Garcia had come to the United States escaping communism in their homeland and seeking to take part in the freedom and opportunity that America promised.
Joe’s father started out washing cars while his mother Carmen waited tables. Eventually, Joe Sr. started working at a bank and Carmen was able to start her own business. With great sacrifice and work, and with their sons cutting grass to earn money for their education, they were able to send their three sons to Belen Jesuit. Joe’s parents taught him to work hard, to put family first and to treasure the opportunities that this country offers.
After high school Joe attended Miami-Dade Community College. After earning academic scholarships, he transferred to the University of Miami where Joe was very active. Before graduating in 1986, his classmates elected him president of the student government.
AN ADVOCATE FOR AMERICA’S OPPORTUNITY
As a law student, Joe was hired to lead the Exodus Project of the Cuban American National Foundation. He attended UM Law School during the day and directed the project on nights and weekends. Through Joe’s tireless efforts, and those of his colleagues, the Exodus Project became the most successful private refugee resettlement program in American history. Over 10,000 families who had suffered through persecution were reunited at no cost to taxpayers.
After his work on the Exodus Project, Joe was appointed, by the late Gov. Lawton Chiles, to lead the Florida Public Service Commission. As its Chairman, Joe deregulated Florida’s telecommunications industry, which lowered monthly bills for families. In the late 90’s, Joe worked closely with Gov. Jeb Bush, and state legislators, and signed the largest cut in energy prices in Florida’a history.
A DEDICATED FAMILY MAN
Joe met his wife, Aileen, while they were both in law school. Aileen was born in Miami and raised in a middle-class working family. As a result of her dedication, she is now the General Counsel for the University of Miami and Aileen is a dedicated leader in our community. Joe and Aileen are the proud parents of one daughter, Gabriela (10).
Service As a law school student, Joe led the Exodus Project. He traveled to 17 countries to reunite the thousands of families that had been scattered throughout the world. The Exodus Project became the most successful private refugee resettlement program in American history with the reunification of over 10,000 families at no expense to the tax payer.
Helping Florida’s Families
After his work in the Exodus Project, Joe was appointed by the late Governor of Florida, Lawton Chiles, to lead the Florida Public Service Commission. As its Chairman, Joe deregulated the state’s telecommunications industry, which meant lower prices for consumers. He worked closely with Governor Jeb Bush, and legislators from both parties, to sign the largest energy rate cut in Florida’s history.
BOLD VISION
In 2000, during a transformational moment in our community, Joe Garcia became the Executive Director of the Cuban American National Foundation, the country’s leading advocate for democracy in Cuba. Under Joe’s leadership, the organization doubled its funding of the island’s internal opposition movement and helped lead the charge to save South Florida’s iconic symbol of liberty, the Freedom Tower. Joe became a national figure for the cause of freedom in Cuba and was a frequent guest on national media outlets such as CNN, Fox News, Univision, NPR and MSNBC to name a few.
NATIONAL LEADERSHIP
Along with his work at CANF, Joe teamed up with NDN, a centrist policy institute, and led its Hispanic outreach efforts. Joe continuously met with Democratic party leaders and made sure that the Democratic party’s policies reflected the values of most Americans. Joe is one of the country’s leading experts on immigration and has continuously worked with members of Congress to bring about comprehensive immigration reform. In 2006, Joe was elected as the Chairman of the Miami-Dade Democratic Party.
