In a statement released by Long Beach Mayor Robert Garcia’s chief of staff, Mark Taylor, Garcia announced that surplus funds from his 2018 mayoral campaign have been transferred to a 2026 campaign for the position of Lieutenant Governor of California.
“The Long Beach Municipal Code requires local candidates with excess campaign funds to transfer them within a year of the election cycle,” Taylor explained in his statement. “Mayor Garcia has transferred his funds to a Lt. Governor committee in 2026, when a third term as Mayor would conclude. He’s made no final decisions about his future and is looking forward to continuing his work as Mayor of Long Beach. He loves our city and our state.”
Recent campaign finance forms filed with the Long Beach City Clerk on July 30 show an ending cash balance of $142,000 in the coffers of Garcia’s successful campaign for mayor in 2018.
The position of Lt. Governor is currently held by Eleni Kounalakis, the first woman elected to this position. Kounalakis’ term limit ends in 2026. Garcia is not the only candidate to transfer funds to a 2026 campaign for the office; presidential candidate and United States Senator Kamala Harris, Los Angeles City Council candidate and State Senator Kevin de León, and State Controller Betty Yee all filed statements of intention to run.