Election 2014 New Hampshire: Millennial GOP House Candidate Marilinda Garcia Earns Republican Support, Opposes Amnesty for Undocumented Immigrants
Declaring that the U.S. needs a "new generation leadership," 31-year-old New Hampshire State Representative Marilinda Garcia is hoping to bring a new era of conservatism to Congress.
"The bottom line: These are great times, characterized by great challenges. I believe the people of New Hampshire have something to contribute in the great debates that lie ahead, and I would be honored to be their voice," Garcia said. "Our New Hampshire values of small government, personal decision-making and freedom deserve an effective voice in Washington."
Garcia won the state's Republican primary election with 27,285 votes, a considerable lead against opponents Gary Lambert's 15,196 votes, Jim Lawrence's 10,327 votes and Mike Little's 2,489 votes.
Garcia is now campaigning against incumbent Democratic Rep. Ann McLane Kuster for New Hampshire's 2nd Congressional District. Democrats have been quick to launch attack advertisements against Garcia following her primary victory. The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee debuted a 48-second video stating Garcia is "too extreme" for New Hampshire using statements from her primary debate. The DCCC used Garcia's comments supporting future government shutdowns and impeachment of Obama. Although not supporting a candidate, the Americans for Responsible Solutions said Garcia is against raising the state's minimum wage and equal pay for equal work.
Garcia has received the endorsements of prominent GOP politicians such as former Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney, Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., and Speaker of the House John Boehner, R-Ohio.
"Marilinda's plan for New Hampshire involves rolling back the size and cost of the federal government and giving power back to the Granite State," said Romney, the former governor of neighboring state Massachusetts. "She is committed to repealing Obamacare, lowering taxes, and creating good-paying jobs that put America back on track. I am honored to endorse her campaign, and I am excited to have Marilinda represent New Hampshire in Congress."
Rubio is scheduled to visit New Hampshire on Oct. 23 to campaign for Garcia. Prior to the primary election, Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, spoke at a rally for Garcia attended by approximately 200 supporters.
Immigration has also become a hot topic for New Hampshire. Garcia believes the current U.S. immigration system is broken. Garcia stated Obama could bring reform and strengthen border security but he's "more interested" in politicizing immigration for his advantage. She said congressional Republicans are "powerless" without Obama's cooperation.
"Right now there are literally thousands of foreign-born young children -- in the care of the U.S. government -- being housed along the southern border and in places throughout the country. These children, often without their parents, are claiming asylum under DACA," Garcia penned for the Concord Monitor.
While approximately 90,000 unaccompanied undocumented immigrant children have been projected to enter the U.S. by the end of year, DACA -- the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program created by Obama in June 2012 -- is only available to immigrants who began living in the U.S. prior to June 15, 2007 and were born after June 15, 1981.
For the unaccompanied immigrant children in U.S. custody, Garcia said they have to be returned to their native countries.
"Preventing future illegal immigration requires us to guarantee there is no amnesty for illegal immigrants. We also must prevent President Obama from using 'executive amnesty,' and work towards pragmatic and security-based solutions that encourage legal immigration," Garcia said.
According to the latest New England College poll, Kuster leads Garcia with 49 percent to 38 percent.
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