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Rep. Robert Garcia (D-CA) during House Oversight and Accountability Committee hearing, March 2024
Inside the Oversight Committee, Garcia has carved out a role as one of the most consistent and unapologetic critics of right-wing extremism.
California Rep. Robert Garcia, the first out gay immigrant elected to Congress and one of the House’s most outspoken advocates of LGBTQ+ rights, is quietly laying the groundwork for a bid to lead Democrats on the powerful House Oversight and Accountability Committee.
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According to multiple anonymous sources who toldPolitico, Garcia, who currently sits on the committee, has begun reaching out to colleagues to assess support for a potential run for the position after longtime ranking member Rep. Gerry Connolly of Virginia announced he would step aside to focus on his cancer treatment. Garcia has so far deferred publicly to Connolly, who has not yet stepped aside, telling reporters Tuesday that “those of us on the Oversight Committee are just focused on Gerry’s health."
Related: Superman, Batman, and Robert Garcia: A gay Democrat’s stand against his political villains
Garcia would likely draw backing from multiple corners of the Democratic caucus, including the Congressional Hispanic Caucus and the Congressional Equality Caucus, where he serves as a co-chair. Both groups have long advocated for more diverse voices in leadership.
Garcia, 47, also holds a slot in Democratic leadership reserved for members with fewer than five terms. His national profile has grown through his media presence, fierce committee performances, and vocal criticisms of Republicans and the Trump administration — including a recent trip to El Salvador to investigate the deportation of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a Maryland man; and a gay Venezuelan asylum-seeker, Andry Hernandez Romero.
Related: Robert Garcia displays Elon Musk ‘dick pic’ in House DOGE hearing using Marjorie Taylor Greene’s antics
Inside the Oversight Committee, Garcia has carved out a role as one of the most consistent critics of right-wing extremism. He’s also publicly called out Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, the hardline Georgia Republican known for her inflammatory rhetoric and conspiracy-laden attacks. Garcia is the only Democrat who sits on every committee Greene does, giving him a unique perch from which to directly challenge her — something he’s done repeatedly and effectively. At a recent hearing Garcia made headlines for showing a photo of Elon Musk, calling it a “dick pic,” invoking a stunt in the 118th Congress when Greene engaged in where she showed nude photos of President Joe Biden’s son, Hunter.
With New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez announcing Monday that she will not pursue the Oversight leadership role, the field has opened up to newer members like Garcia and fellow contenders, including Reps. Jasmine Crockett of Texas, Ro Khanna of California, and Florida’s Maxwell Frost. Politico notes that Frost and Garcia are close allies and would not run against each other.
“At this point, I feel like half the committee is wanting to run for the seat,” Vermont Rep. Becca Balint, who used Monday’s caucus meeting to call for promoting emerging talent within the party, said, Politico reports.
