The “Texas Bond King”, Gilbert Garcia, is running for Mayor. After graduating from Yale with a B.A in Economics in 1985, Mr. Garcia began his career in finance by joining the Salomon Brothers in New York City. In 1990, he moved to Houston to join former San Antonio Mayor Henry Cisneros in building Cisneros Asset Management Company, ultimately becoming its President. Then in 2002, Mr. Garcia joined Garcia Hamilton & Associates where he eventually became Managing Partner, growing total assets under management from $200 million to $21 billion.

While Garcia has not run for office before, he has had his fair share of experience with public service. In 2009, Garcia had the opportunity to be Mayor Annise Parker’s campaign chairperson. After she won, Parker named Garcia as the chair of METRO.

Before Gilbert Garcia took over METRO, the organization was in a very difficult place. Garcia took over and “methodically” helped rebuild the public’s trust by making great improvements to the City of Houston’s public transportation system. In 2015 Mr. Garcia and the rest of the METRO team’s great work was recognized and received the APTA Award for Outstanding Public Transportation System Achievement in North America. “I cannot thank Annise Parker enough for entrusting me with such an incredible opportunity as well as surrounding me with a great board and an excellent METRO staff”, says Garcia.

Garcia has voiced that a “shake-up” is needed at Houston’s City Hall. From a federal investigation into Houston’s Health Department, issues surrounding pay disputes with firefighters, to an impending state takeover of HISD, Garcia says he is the right candidate to tackle these issues. With a looming recession and COVID relief money ending, Garcia has also discussed financial initiatives he will spearhead to help improve the city’s financial stability.

A true leader takes care of the present but acts now for the future as well.

Garcia has big plans for Houston and is excited to be a part of this mayoral race. He believes in the city of Houston and the great potential that lies ahead. He listens to the voices of voters and has heard what needs to be done to make Houston the greatest city in the United States. Vote Gilbert Garcia for Mayor this election on Nov. 8, 2023.