To the cheers of a packed house, Patchogue native Jesse Garcia, was unanimously elected leader of the Suffolk County Republican Committee, at a special GOP party convention held last Wednesday at Islip Town Republican Headquarters. The election is particularly special for Garcia, who has served as Chairman of the Brookhaven Town Republican Committee for the past 12 years and is now the first County Chairman in over two decades to hold both the town and county leadership roles.
Garcia is also the first Hispanic elected Chairman of a County Republican Party on Long Island. In an interview with Patchogue Today, Garcia noted “I am especially proud of my Hispanic roots. My parents instilled in me and my siblings the love of family, the value of hard work and the importance of public and community service.”
Garcia grew up in Patchogue, where his father, the late Jesus Garcia, came from Cuba, settling his family on Gilbert Street. Garcia graduated from Patchogue Medford HS in 1984 where he played baseball until an injury sidelined him. An avid sports fan, he has fond memories playing Little League baseball with PYAA and credits both his parents for teaching him the value of community service.
His father, Jesus Garcia, was awarded the LI Advance "Man of the Year" in 1993 for his service in many organizations including the Patchogue Lions Club, Patchogue-Medford Youth and Community Services, the Patchogue Youth Athletic Association , La Union Hispanica and the Spanish Society of Suffolk. The Ryder Ave Senior Park is also named after him.
Jesse’s mother Miriam is from Puerto Rico. “To this day my mom is a strong influence in my life.”
Garcia serves as the Hispanic Outreach Coordinator for the Suffolk Board of Elections. He replaces John LaValle as Suffolk County Leader, who resigned the post last month. He will fulfill the remainder of LaValle’s term and will likely stand for re-election for a full two-year term as Suffolk’s GOP leader after the June 25 primaries.
“I am truly blessed by the faith and trust the hundreds of Committee Members, Volunteers, Candidates and elected officials have placed in me to lead our county Republican Party.”
