Constituency District 7 Political party Democratic Party Democratic Party Constituency 7th District Role American Politician | Preceded by Eliseo Cadena Name Edward Garza Preceded by Howard W. Peak Spouse(s) Anna Laura Garza Succeeded by Phil Hardberger | |
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Books LULAC: League of United Latin American Citizens Education Thomas Jefferson High School, Texas A&M University, University of Texas at Austin | ||
Edward D. Garza, known as Ed Garza (born 1969), is an American politician and a professional urban planner. From 2001-2005, he served as mayor of San Antonio, Texas. At 32 in 2001, he is the youngest person to have been mayor of his city and only the second person of Hispanic descent to hold the office since the election of Henry Cisneros in 1981.
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Early life and education
A native of San Antonio, Garza graduated from Thomas Jefferson High School in 1986. He attended the University of Texas at Austin for two years before transferring to Texas A&M University in College Station, where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Landscape Architecture in 1992 and a Master of Science in Land Development in 1994.
Career
In 2010, Garza was the president and CEO of the urban development and investment firm Zane Garway. He was previously a principal in the firm AECOM. Garza has also held adjunct professor positions at the University of Texas at San Antonio and St. Mary's University.
Garza's political career includes two terms on the San Antonio City Council, two terms as Mayor of San Antonio, and as of 2009, a trustee of the San Antonio Independent School District.
Though a Democrat, all of Garza's offices have thus far been nonpartisan. In 2010, Garza endorsed the reelection of Republican Governor Rick Perry in the November 2 general election against the Democratic nominee, Bill White, former mayor of Houston and former state party chairman. In a statement, Garza said that Perry has "upheld his proven track record in bringing Texas to the forefront of the global economy, having helped provide the people of this city and state the jobs and opportunities they need to prosper. His leadership and conservative principles are what cities need to grow economically and remain competitive in today’s market. These values are to be emulated as they foster an environment that welcomes jobs and success. I cannot think of a better governor for Texas, and it brings me great joy to endorse Governor Perry in this year’s general election."
Perry replied that Garza "has made a remarkable and lasting impact on the city of San Antonio. His vision of improving and expanding education and economic development has allowed San Antonio to flourish. Partnering with the state, Mayor Garza was instrumental in helping bring Toyota's manufacturing facility to the city's south side, an addition of more than five thousand high paying jobs."
Articles about Garza have appeared in several publications, including Texas Monthly, Hispanic Business Magazine, and Urban Land Magazine.
Personal life
Edward and his wife Anna Laura married in 2001.