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0000017a-15d9-d736-a57f-17ff8d180000Race: District 2, U.S. House of RepresentativesParty: RepublicanPolitical Experience: 2009-present - New Hampshire HousePersonal: Lives in SalemEducation: Bachelor’s, New England Conservatory of Music and Tufts University; Masters, Harvard University Kennedy School of GovernmentCandidate WebsiteIssuesGarcia says she is running to repair the “complete breakdown of trust” between elected officials and citizens. "Within the latest spate of scandals from the Obama administration, be it what happened with the IRS, the incompetence and lack of accountability within the VA, the attempted cover up and aftermath of the incident in Benghazi, and then of course Obamacare."People like to debate policy, they have no problem with that. They can understand if people have opposing views, but when you foist something upon the American people based on a false premise and sold on basically lies, that’s really problematic.Garcia says she’ll work to “dismantle” the Affordable Care Act and replace it with “bottom-up reforms.” She supports giving individuals who buy their own insurance the same tax benefits as those who get it from their employers, and she’d allow consumers to buy insurance across state lines.“Next generation conservative leadership means providing alternatives that enhance health care options for all New Hampshire families. Instead of top-down solutions, in which politicians, bureaucrats and insurance executives are in charge of our decision-making, we should promote bottom-up solutions in which consumers make decisions for themselves."A member of the Hispanic Caucus of State Legislators, Garcia says the country’s immigration system “makes it too complicated to stay here legally and too easy to stay illegally. After negative ads from an opponent that accused her of supporting "amnesty," Garcia has had to reiterate her opposition to granting legal status to undocumented immigrants.“[W]e can’t all of a sudden just because we have a humanitarian crisis or some sense of urgency to put other people at the front of the line. Everybody has to go to their proper place in the back of the line. And also to prevent another crisis from popping up, we absolutely have to secure our border."

Garcia Defends Opposition To Gay Marriage, Record On Abortion

Allegra Boverman

In an interview at the UNH School of Law Monday night, 2nd Congressional District Republican candidate Marilinda Garcia defended her record on hot-button social issues.

During the discussion with NHPR’s Laura Knoy, Garcia reiterated her opposition to gay marriage.

“I don’t think the state and the government should be there to be forcing religious denominations and institutions to redefine what is a sacrament.”

And on abortion, she says her record has been mischaracterized.

While pro-life, Garcia says any legislation she supported in the New Hampshire House allowed for exceptions in cases of rape or incest.

But she called the abortion issue a "debate on the margins."

But she called the issue a quote-debate on the margins.

“Most pro-choice women don’t for example support partial-birth abortion and not all pro-life women support banning contraception. So amongst the average Americans, there’s in fact so much consensus in between within what has become a marginal discussion.”

The Salem state representative is seeking to unseat first-term Democrat Ann McLane Kuster.

Garcia said she opposes Obamacare, though says there are aspects she supports, such as allowing young people to stay on their parent’s plans and requiring coverage for preexisting conditions.

“So there are bound to be some good things that didn’t need to be included in this massive comprehensive overhaul that I don’t agree with.”

Garcia also said she opposes the Common Core, saying it will reduce standards to the lowest common denominator.

On climate change, Garcia appeared skeptical of any man-made involvement, but says if there is, changes solely to American policy won't solve the problem.

“If it really is the man-made emissions that are causing the greatest change, then we really do need some of the biggest offenders, that being China, Indonesia, India, Russia.” 

And on immigration, Garcia said she’s open to reforming the nation’s laws, but her first priority is securing the border.

“And that’s also become a national security interest as well, given the rise in international terrorism, the potential of bioterror and pandemics that we’re seeing.”

Michael serves as NHPR's Program Director. Michael came to NHPR in 2012, working as the station's newscast producer/reporter. In 2015, he took on the role of Morning Edition producer. Michael worked for eight years at The Telegraph of Nashua, covering education and working as the metro editor.
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