Dr. Sonia Garcia is a lifelong Wheaton resident, the daughter of working-class

Salvadoran immigrants, and a first-generation Ph.D. graduate. Raised in Montgomery County Public Schools, Sonia learned early the value of hard work, service, and community while helping her parents and neighbors navigate systems and translate documents.

Sonia earned a Ph.D. in Molecular Medicine and built a career in cancer research, program management, development and analysis, including service at the National Cancer Institute at the National Institutes of Health. As a scientist, she believes public policy should be guided by evidence, community, transparency, and accountability.

Sonia became deeply involved in community advocacy after seeing residents

repeatedly excluded from decisions that directly affected their neighborhoods. She has worked alongside residents on issues including housing, transportation, environmental health, and responsible development, helping communities understand proposals, navigate government processes, and make their voices heard. Most recently, her door-to-door outreach helped bring more than 300 residents to a University Boulevard Corridor listening session, where neighbors raised critical concerns about lack of infrastructure planning, rezoning, displacement, and the need for meaningful engagement- efforts that contributed to the removal of the Kemp Mill Shopping Center

from the rezoning plan.

As a former federal worker and lifelong resident, Sonia understands the financial pressures facing working families, seniors, young professionals, and small businesses. She is running a people-powered campaign focused on affordability, transparent government, responsible growth, and ensuring residents have a meaningful seat at the table before major decisions are made. Sonia is running for Montgomery County Council District 6 because she believes government works best when it listens to residents, engages communities honestly, and makes decisions with the people it serves.

Policy Objectives

• Affordable Living and Fiscal Responsibility: Montgomery County families are facing rising housing costs, taxes, and everyday expenses. I will advocate for responsible budgeting, greater fiscal accountability, and policies that help working families, seniors, and young professionals afford to remain in the communities they call home.

• Transparent and Accountable Government: Residents deserve a voice before major decisions are made. I will support transparent decision-making, meaningful public engagement, and greater accountability to ensure government works for the people it serves.

• Responsible Growth and Community-Centered Planning: Growth should strengthen communities, not displace them. I support smart, responsible development that considers infrastructure, transportation, school capacity, environmental impacts, and meaningful community input.

• Support for Working Families and Small Businesses: Strong communities depend on economic opportunity. I will advocate for policies that support workers, federal employees, teachers, first responders, entrepreneurs, and small businesses that form the backbone of our local economy.

• Environmental Health and Public Safety: As a scientist, I believe public health and environmental protection must be part of every major policy decision. I will support evidence-based approaches that protect air quality, water resources, public health, and neighborhood quality of life.

• Community Engagement and Inclusive Representation: Every resident deserves to be heard. I will work to ensure government is accessible, responsive, and reflective of the diverse communities that make Montgomery County strong.

Education Background

• Ph.D., Molecular Medicine with a Cancer Biology Focus, University of Maryland School of Medicine

• B.S., Biology (Magna Cum Laude), Trinity Washington University

• Graduate, Montgomery County Public Schools