Sonia A. Garcia, Ph.D. – Candidate for Montgomery County Council, District 6 (Moderately MOCO Candidate Introduction Series)

This post is part of the Moderately MOCO Candidate Introduction Series. Candidates who did not receive the questionnaire via email or need more information can get access through our contact form. The information in this post was submitted directly by the candidate and does not represent the views of Moderately MOCO or its publication.

Basic Information

Political Party: Democratic Party

Campaign Website: soniagarciaforcouncildistrict6.com

Social Media Links:
Instagram: soniaformococouncil
Facebook: Sonia Garcia for County Council District 6

Why Are You Running For Office?

I am running for Montgomery County Council because too many residents feel like decisions are being made to them, not with them. I grew up in District 6, and I have watched longtime communities face rising costs, displacement pressures, and a lack of transparency around major decisions impacting their neighborhoods.

After working in public service at the National Institutes of Health and seeing how policy and systems directly impact people’s lives, I felt called to step forward and advocate for more accountable, community-centered leadership.

That feeling became even stronger after my federal layoff, when I became more involved locally around the University Boulevard Corridor Plan. Alongside other volunteers and community members, we helped organize outreach and engagement efforts that brought more than 400 attendees to a listening session surrounding the plan, where residents expressed frustration about the lack of transparency, traffic and rezoning concerns, and feeling excluded from the process. Despite residents showing up and voicing concerns, many still felt ignored and dismissed throughout the process.

That work continued as residents along Veirs Mill Road began receiving property acquisition letters tied to transit and rezoning plans many families had little prior knowledge about. I continue to volunteer by helping translate information, attending and organizing community meetings and connecting residents to resources.

These experiences showed me how disconnected many residents feel from decisions impacting their neighborhoods and reinforced why we need leadership that prioritizes transparency, community input, and accountability before decisions are made, not after the fact.

I want residents to feel heard, informed, and included in the decisions shaping Montgomery County’s future.

What Is The Biggest Issue Facing Voters In This Race?

Affordability and trust in government are deeply connected issues in this race. Across Wheaton, Glenmont, Aspen Hill, Kemp Mill, Forest Glen, Layhill, Kensington Heights, and surrounding neighborhoods, too many residents feel decisions are being made before their voices are heard.

Families are struggling with rising housing costs, taxes, utility bills, and the overall cost of living, while also feeling disconnected from decisions about development, transit, and growth in their communities. Growth is moving fast, policies are changing, and residents are too often left reacting instead of participating.

Residents are also concerned that infrastructure is not keeping pace with development. Schools, roads, pedestrian safety, parking, stormwater systems, and public services are already under strain in many areas, and residents want thoughtful planning that addresses these challenges before major projects move forward.

At the same time, Montgomery County is still feeling the economic impact of federal layoffs and increasing financial pressure on working families, seniors, and small businesses.

We need policies that address affordability while protecting existing residents from displacement and ensuring transparency, accountability, and meaningful community engagement throughout the process. Growth should strengthen neighborhoods, not destabilize them.

What Experience Best Prepares You For This Role?

I bring a combination of scientific training, public service experience, and community advocacy. I earned my Ph.D. in Molecular Medicine with a focus in cancer biology and worked at the National Institutes of Health, where I analyzed data, helped develop programs, and worked across teams to support equitable outcomes.

I specialize in turning complex ideas into structured, actionable programs that align scientific objectives with operational impact, while keeping collaboration, communication, and community at the core.

I have experience managing complex projects, engaging with diverse stakeholders, and turning data into actionable solutions. Through my public service work, I also analyzed focus group and workforce data to better understand disparities and develop targeted initiatives and programming.

In addition to my public service experience, I have been directly involved in community advocacy efforts around housing, transportation, and transparency issues affecting District 6 residents, particularly along the Veirs Mill corridor. This included helping residents navigate property acquisition notices, increasing language accessibility, and organizing community engagement around local planning decisions.

As someone born and raised in Montgomery County, I bring both professional experience and lived understanding of the challenges many residents are facing.

What Would You Like Voters To Know About You Personally?

I am someone who genuinely cares about this community because it is home. I was born and raised in Montgomery County, am a proud product of MCPS, and my family still lives in District 6. Many of the issues residents are facing are issues I have experienced personally as well.

I was raised in a working-class immigrant household and learned early the importance of community, resilience, and advocacy. After my federal layoff last year, I became even more involved locally, especially as residents along Veirs Mill Road began receiving property acquisition letters tied to transit and rezoning plans many families had little prior knowledge about.

I volunteered by helping translate information, organizing and attending community meetings, connecting residents to resources, and encouraging families to speak directly to the Council about their concerns. We pushed for greater transparency, stronger outreach, and more meaningful community input. Despite residents showing up and voicing concerns, many still felt ignored throughout the process.

That experience was a turning point for me. At a time when federal layoffs were already impacting Montgomery County families and the local economy, many residents felt like government was moving forward on major decisions without fully listening to the people most affected.

Whether through public service, volunteering, or local organizing, I have always believed in showing up, listening first, and making sure residents feel respected and included in the process. I approach leadership with empathy, transparency, and accountability because this community is personal to me.

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