René Garcia
René Garcia is a member of the Miami-Dade County Commission in Florida, representing District 13. Garcia assumed office on November 17, 2020. Garcia's current term ends on November 21, 2028.
Garcia ran for election for Mayor of Hialeah in Florida. Garcia did not appear on the ballot for the primary on November 4, 2025.
Biography
Garcia earned his B.S. from Florida International University and his MBA from the University of Miami. His professional experience includes working as Vice President of Community Relations at Dade Medical College.
Elections
2025
See also: Mayoral election in Hialeah, Florida (2025)
Nonpartisan primary election
Nonpartisan primary for Mayor of Hialeah
Bryan Calvo won election outright against Jesús Tundidor, incumbent Jackie Garcia-Roves, Marc Anthony Salvat, and Benny Rodriguez in the primary for Mayor of Hialeah on November 4, 2025.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Bryan Calvo (Nonpartisan)  | 52.9 | 9,232 |
| Jesús Tundidor (Nonpartisan) | 20.7 | 3,606 | ||
 | Jackie Garcia-Roves (Nonpartisan) | 19.1 | 3,325 | |
| Marc Anthony Salvat (Nonpartisan) | 6.5 | 1,128 | ||
| Benny Rodriguez (Nonpartisan) | 0.9 | 150 | ||
| Total votes: 17,441 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
- Daniel Cornejo (Nonpartisan)
- René Garcia (Nonpartisan)
- Manuel Reyes (Nonpartisan)
Endorsements
Ballotpedia did not identify endorsements for Garcia in this election.
2024
See also: Municipal elections in Miami-Dade County, Florida (2024)
General election
The general election was canceled. René Garcia (Nonpartisan) won without appearing on the ballot.
Endorsements
Ballotpedia did not identify endorsements for Garcia in this election.
2020
See also: Municipal elections in Miami-Dade County, Florida (2020)
Nonpartisan primary election
Nonpartisan primary for Miami-Dade County Commission District 13
René Garcia won election outright against Adrian Jimenez in the primary for Miami-Dade County Commission District 13 on August 18, 2020.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | René Garcia (Nonpartisan) | 77.1 | 18,716 |
| Adrian Jimenez (Nonpartisan) | 22.9 | 5,557 | ||
| Total votes: 24,273 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
2018
- See also: Florida State Senate elections, 2018
Rene Garcia was not able to file for re-election due to term limits.
2016
- See also: Florida State Senate elections, 2016
Elections for the Florida State Senate took place in 2016. The primary election took place on August 30, 2016, and the general election was held on November 8, 2016. The candidate filing deadline was June 24, 2016.
Incumbent Rene Garcia defeated Anabella Grohoski Peralta in the Florida State Senate District 36 general election.[1][2]
| Florida State Senate, District 36 General Election, 2016 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Republican |  Rene Garcia Incumbent |
55.02% | 81,972 | |
| Democratic | Anabella Grohoski Peralta | 44.98% | 67,003 | |
| Total Votes | 148,975 | |||
| Source: Florida Division of Elections | ||||
Anabella Grohoski Peralta ran unopposed in the Florida State Senate District 36 Democratic primary.[3][4]
| Florida State Senate, District 36 Democratic Primary, 2016 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | |
| Democratic | Anabella Grohoski Peralta (unopposed) | |
Incumbent Rene Garcia ran unopposed in the Florida State Senate District 36 Republican primary.[3][4]
| Florida State Senate, District 36 Republican Primary, 2016 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | |
| Republican | Rene Garcia Incumbent (unopposed) | |
This candidate ran in one of Ballotpedia's races to watch in 2016. Read more »
2014
- See also: Florida State Senate elections, 2014
Elections for the Florida State Senate took place in 2014. A primary election took place on August 26, 2014. The general election was held on November 4, 2014. The signature filing deadline for candidates wishing to run in this election was June 20, 2014. Incumbent Rene Garcia was unopposed in the Republican primary and was unchallenged in the general election.[5][6]
2012
- See also: Florida State Senate elections, 2012
Garcia won re-election in the 2012 election for Florida State Senate District 38. Garica ran unopposed in the Republican primary on August 14, 2012, and was unchallenged in the general election, which took place on November 6, 2012.[7][8]
2010
- See also: Florida State Senate elections, 2010
Garcia did not have any opposition in the August 24 primary. He defeated Alexis Dominguez (write-in) in the November 2 general election.[9]
| Florida State Senate, District 40 2010 General election results | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Candidates | Votes | Percent | ||
| Rene Garcia (R)
|
56,222 | 99.96% | ||
| Alexis Dominguez (Write-in) | 20 | 0.04% | ||
Campaign themes
2025
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
René Garcia did not complete Ballotpedia's 2025 Candidate Connection survey.
2024
René Garcia did not complete Ballotpedia's 2024 Candidate Connection survey.
2020
René Garcia did not complete Ballotpedia's 2020 Candidate Connection survey.
2010
On his campaign website, Garcia stressed the issue of health care, stating,
"Garcia’s passion for health care and his constituents is something that he works very hard to defend and foster. He has championed numerous causes for health care ensuring that everyone has rights and access to quality service health care. Garcia has always taken pride in protecting our most vulnerable children and seniors."[10]
Additionally, his site listed legislation he sponsored while in the Florida House of Representatives, representing [11]
Campaign finance summary
Note: The finance data shown here comes from the disclosures required of candidates and parties. Depending on the election or state, this may represent only a portion of all the funds spent on their behalf. Satellite spending groups may or may not have expended funds related to the candidate or politician on whose page you are reading this disclaimer. Campaign finance data from elections may be incomplete. For elections to federal offices, complete data can be found at the FEC website. Click here for more on federal campaign finance law and here for more on state campaign finance law.
State legislative tenure
Scorecards
A scorecard evaluates a legislator’s voting record. Its purpose is to inform voters about the legislator’s political positions. Because scorecards have varying purposes and methodologies, each report should be considered on its own merits. For example, an advocacy group’s scorecard may assess a legislator’s voting record on one issue while a state newspaper’s scorecard may evaluate the voting record in its entirety.
Ballotpedia is in the process of developing an encyclopedic list of published scorecards. Some states have a limited number of available scorecards or scorecards produced only by select groups. It is Ballotpedia’s goal to incorporate all available scorecards regardless of ideology or number.
Click here for an overview of legislative scorecards in all 50 states. To contribute to the list of scorecards, email suggestions to editor@ballotpedia.org.
Below you can find the scorecards found for the Florida State Legislature in 2025.
- Americans for Prosperity - Florida — Legislators are scored on their stances on economic issues.
- Associated Industries of Florida — Legislators are scored on their votes on business issues.
- Club for Growth Foundation — Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to economic issues.
- Florida Chamber of Commerce — Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to business issues.
- Progress Florida and Florida Watch — Legislators are scored based on their votes on health care, the economy, public schools, affordable housing, clean energy and water, reproductive rights, the freedom to vote and more.
- The Freedom Index — Legislators are scored on their adherence to the limited government principles of the U.S. Constitution.
Below you can find the scorecards found for the Florida State Legislature in 2024.
- Americans for Prosperity - Florida — Legislators are scored on their stances on economic issues.
- Associated Industries of Florida — Legislators are scored on their votes on business issues.
- Club for Growth Foundation — Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to economic issues.
- Florida Chamber of Commerce — Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to business issues.
- National Federation of Independent Business — Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to business issues.
- Progress Florida and Florida Watch — Legislators are scored based on their votes on health care, the economy, public schools, affordable housing, clean energy and water, reproductive rights, the freedom to vote and more.
Below you can find the scorecards found for the Florida State Legislature in 2023.
- Americans for Prosperity - Florida — Legislators are scored on their stances on economic issues.
- Associated Industries of Florida — Legislators are scored on their votes on business issues.
- Florida Chamber of Commerce — Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to business issues.
- Progress Florida and Florida Watch — Legislators are scored based on their votes on health care, the economy, public schools, affordable housing, clean energy and water, reproductive rights, the freedom to vote and more.
- The Institute for Legislative Analysis — Legislators are scored on their adherence to the limited government principles of the U.S. Constitution.
Below you can find the scorecards found for the Florida State Legislature in 2022.
- Americans for Prosperity - Florida — Legislators are scored on their stances on economic issues.
- Associated Industries of Florida — Legislators are scored on their votes on business issues.
- Florida Chamber of Commerce — Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to business issues.
- National Federation of Independent Business — Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to business issues.
- Progress Florida and Florida Watch — Legislators are scored based on their votes on health care, the economy, public schools, affordable housing, clean energy and water, reproductive rights, the freedom to vote and more.
Below you can find the scorecards found for the Florida State Legislature in 2021.
- Americans for Prosperity - Florida — Legislators are scored on their stances on economic issues.
- Associated Industries of Florida — Legislators are scored on their votes on business issues.
- Florida Chamber of Commerce — Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to business issues.
- Progress Florida and Florida Watch — Legislators are scored based on their votes on health care, the economy, public schools, affordable housing, clean energy and water, reproductive rights, the freedom to vote and more.
- Sierra Club Florida Chapter — Legislators are scored on votes on environmental bills.
- The American Conservative Union — Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues.
Below you can find the scorecards found for the Florida State Legislature in 2017.
- Americans for Prosperity - Florida — Legislators are scored on their stances on economic issues.
- First Amendment Foundation — Legislators are scored on their stance on public records access as it relates to Florida's "Sunshine Law"
- Florida Chamber of Commerce — Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to business issues.
- Florida Health Care Association — Legislators are scored on their stances on healthcare related issues.
- The American Conservative Union — Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues.
Below you can find the scorecards found for the Florida State Legislature in 2016.
- Americans for Prosperity - Florida — Legislators are scored on their stances on economic issues.
- Associated Industries of Florida — Legislators are scored on their votes on business issues.
- Florida Chamber of Commerce — Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to business issues.
- Florida Family Action — Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to social issues.
- Florida Health Care Association — Legislators are scored on their stances on healthcare related issues.
- Fund Education Now — Legislators are scored on whether the organization believes they are making an effort to provide “a uniform, efficient, safe, secure, and high quality system of free public schools that allows students to obtain a high quality education.”
- Liberty First Network — Legislators are scored on their votes on bills supported or opposed by the organization.
- National Federation of Independent Business — Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to business issues.
- The American Conservative Union — Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues.
Below you can find the scorecards found for the Florida State Legislature in 2015.
- Americans for Prosperity - Florida — Legislators are scored on their stances on economic issues.
- Associated Industries of Florida — Legislators are scored on their votes on business issues.
- Florida Chamber of Commerce — Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to business issues.
- Florida Health Care Association — Legislators are scored on their stances on issues related to healthcare.
- The American Conservative Union — Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues.
Below you can find the scorecards found for the Florida State Legislature in 2014.
- Florida Chamber of Commerce — Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to business issues.
- Florida Health Care Association — Legislators are scored on their stances on issues related to healthcare.
- Florida Sheriff's Association — Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to public safety and law enforcement officials.
- Let Florida Decide — Legislators are scored on their stances on marijuana.
- Liberty First Network — Legislators are scored on a group of bills that the organization supports or opposes.
- The American Conservative Union — Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues.
Below you can find the scorecards found for the Florida State Legislature in 2013.
- Associated Industries of Florida — Legislators are scored on their votes on business issues.
- Florida Chamber of Commerce — Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to business issues.
- Florida Sheriff's Association — Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to public safety and law enforcement officials.
- Preserve our Paradise — Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to fracking.
- The American Conservative Union — Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues.
Committee assignments
2017 legislative session
At the beginning of the 2017 legislative session, this legislator served on the following committees:
| Florida committee assignments, 2017 |
|---|
| • Banking and Insurance |
| • Children, Families, and Elder Affairs, Chair |
| • Judiciary |
2015 legislative session
At the beginning of the 2015 legislative session, Garcia served on the following committees:
| Florida committee assignments, 2015 |
|---|
| • Agriculture |
| • Appropriations |
| • Children, Families, and Elder Affairs |
| • Communications, Energy, and Public Utilities |
| • Education Pre-K - 12 |
| • Health Policy |
| • Joint Legislative Budget Commission |
2013-2014
At the beginning of the 2013 legislative session, Garcia served on the following committees:
| Florida committee assignments, 2013 |
|---|
| • Communications, Energy, and Public Utilities, Vice chair |
| • Agriculture |
| • Health Policy |
| • Transportation |
| • Administrative Procedures, Alternating Chair |
2011-2012
In the 2011-2012 legislative session, Garcia served on the following committees:
| Florida committee assignments, 2011 |
|---|
| • Health Regulation, Chair |
| • Agriculture |
| • Governmental Oversight and Accountability |
| • Reapportionment |
| • Transportation |
| • Collective Bargaining |
| • Administrative Procedures |
See also
2025 Elections
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ Florida Department of State, "Candidate listing for 2016 general election," accessed September 12, 2016
- ↑ Florida Division of Elections, "November 8, 2016 Official Election Results," accessed November 23, 2016
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Florida Department of State, "Candidates and Races," accessed July 1, 2016
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Florida Division of Elections, "August 30, 2016 Official Election Results," accessed September 22, 2016
- ↑ Florida Division of Elections, "2014 Florida Election Watch - Multi-County or District Offices," accessed September 3, 2014
- ↑ Florida Division of Elections, "Candidate Listing for 2014 General Election," accessed June 23, 2014
- ↑ Florida Division of Elections, "Candidate List," accessed April 15, 2012
- ↑ Florida Department of Elections, "Official Primary Results," accessed December 18, 2014
- ↑ Florida Department of Elections, "November 2, 2010, Election Results," November 2, 2010
- ↑ Rene Garcia campaign website, "Homepage," November 2, 2010
- ↑ Rene Garcia campaign website, "Legislation," November 2, 2010
| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Esteban Bovo Jr. |
Miami-Dade County Commission District 13 2020-Present |
Succeeded by - |
| Preceded by Oscar Braynon (D) |
Florida State Senate District 36 2016-2018 |
Succeeded by Manny Diaz Jr. (R) |
| Preceded by - |
Florida State Senate District 38 2012-2016 |
Succeeded by Daphne Campbell (D) |
| Preceded by Rudy Garcia (R) |
Florida State Senate District 40 2010-2012 |
Succeeded by - |
| Preceded by - |
Florida House of Representatives 2001-2008 |
Succeeded by - |
| Preceded by - |
Hialeah City Council 1997-2001 |
Succeeded by - |
 |
State of Florida Tallahassee (capital) |
|---|---|
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