The Mike Garcia Strategy
In November of 2019, after the resignation of congresswoman Katie Hill, California’s 25th district was left in disarray. The 25th was a district without a representative and a congressional race. But one man was willing to help his district heal: Congressman Mike Garcia, a former Air Force pilot and small business owner, who had run a district-focused campaign rather than a nationalized race focused on special interests.
I’m bringing up Mike Garcia’s campaign for Congress in 2019 because it exemplifies the playbook that conservatives should be using in the midterm elections this year. And there are significant reasons why Garcia’s playbook will benefit the GOP and why it could mean an easy 2022 election.
Garcia’s strategy combines Trump’s praise and a district-tailored conservative policy platform that can appeal to any swing voter. Republicans across this country need to move beyond Trump to get noticed in their races. The fact is that getting support from the former president isn’t enough to win an election. Donald Trump became president because he had a unique, independent mindset. And while former presidents do help candidates win primaries and can potentially be a big advantage in the general election, we are seeing in this cycle that candidates are facing a higher bar to gain voters’ trust, in primaries as well as general elections.
David Perdue is a clear example of this truth. The former senator from Georgia, who has been mediocre in his run against the popular Governor Brain Kemp, did get the former president’s endorsement, but Kemp’s accomplishments and conservative credentials have made him a heavy favorite in the May primary. As Kemp continues to lean on his economic and social accomplishments, he has become a very popular choice for Trump-leaning Republicans. Many of the GOP’s mega-donors and party insiders have also clearly given Kemp their stamp of approval.
Garcia’s strategy through the cycle is similar, except he has to deflect questions about Trump’s ire. Garcia has consistently focused on defense and economic issues, which are very important to the district. That has allowed him not only to be a better candidate but also a better congressman. He has consistently been a co-sponsor on bills that have benefited countless Americans.
For the good of the Republican party and America in general, it’s imperative that Republicans adopt Garcia’s strategy. It’s the most effective way for Republicans to win in the midterms.
