First woman to serve on Paso Robles City Council in 3 decades just resigned. This is why
The first woman to serve on the Paso Robles City Council in more than three decades abruptly resigned from her seat Wednesday.
Maria Garcia, who represented District 2 on the council, resigned immediately due to a “change in her personal residency that precludes her from continuing to serve as a councilmember,” according to a news release from the Paso Robles City Council.
“I am proud of the work we’ve been able to accomplish during my time on the City Council to address key community priorities such as public safety, street improvements, and enhancing the quality of life in Paso Robles,” Garcia said in the release. “Unfortunately, the issue of housing affordability remains a crucial issue that has not been solved and must remain a top priority of the City.”
Garcia, who co-founded the Hispanic Business Association, was elected to the at-large council in November 2018 and served as the District 2 representative after the council transitioned to a district system in 2019, the release said.
Garcia was the first woman in 34 years to be elected to a seat on the Paso Robles City Council, according to Tribune archives. She was the third woman to be elected to the council in the history of the city.
Garcia’s term was set to expire in December 2022, according to the release.
“It has been my honor to serve the Paso Robles community for the past three plus years,” she said.
The remaining council members are expected to meet next week to discuss their options for filling the vacated seat ahead of the general election on Nov. 8, 2022, the release said.
Garcia’s District 2 seat is one of three elected positions up for grabs in the general election.
This story was originally published August 3, 2022 at 5:19 PM.
