Samuel García (politician)

Samuel García Sepúlveda
Samuel García in 2022
Governor of Nuevo León
Incumbent
Assumed office 4 December 2023
Preceded by	Luis Enrique Orozco (interim)
In office 4 October 2021 – 1 December 2023
Preceded by	Jaime Rodríguez Calderón
Succeeded by	Luis Enrique Orozco (interim)
Senator of the Congress of the Union for Nuevo León
In office 1 September 2018 – 18 November 2020
Preceded by	Marcela Guerra Castillo
Succeeded by	Luis David Ortiz Salinas
Member of the Congress of Nuevo León Plurinominal
In office 1 September 2015 – 31 August 2018
Personal details
Born	Samuel Alejandro García Sepúlveda 28 December 1987 Monterrey, Nuevo León
Political party	Citizens' Movement (2015–present)
Spouse	Mariana Rodríguez Cantú ​ ​ (m. 2020)​
Children	1
Education	Monterrey Institute of Technology and Higher Education (LLB, LLM, PhD) Autonomous University of Nuevo León (SJD) ITAC University (SJD)
Occupation	Politician
Signature

Samuel Alejandro García Sepúlveda (born 28 December 1987) is a Mexican lawyer and politician serving as the Governor of Nuevo León. A member of the Citizens' Movement party, he served as a local deputy in the Congress of Nuevo León from 2015 to 2018 and represented Nuevo León in the Senate from 2018 to 2020.

Born in Monterrey, Nuevo León, García obtained his law and finance degree from ITESM and subsequently earned a master's degree in public law and a Ph.D. in public policy and administration. From 2017 to 2019, García led the Citizens' Movement party in the state of Nuevo León. In 2018, he was elected to the Senate, and in 2021, he was elected governor of Nuevo León. In 2023, García secured his party's presidential nomination for the 2024 election, but withdrew amidst a political crisis over the appointment of an interim governor in Nuevo León.

Personal life

Early years

García was born in Monterrey, Nuevo León, on December 28, 1987 to Samuel Orlando García Mascorro, a lawyer and prosecutor, and Bertha Silvia Sepúlveda Andrade. García hosted a children's newscast on Channel 28 of the Nuevo León government, where he conducted interviews and would conclude the program with readings on religious topics, taken from his mother's books. As a high school and undergraduate student at ITESM, he frequently participated as speaker.

Education

García completed his secondary education at Colegio San Patricio Monterrey from 1999 to 2002 and continued at Prepa Tec from 2002 to 2005. Following this, he enrolled at ITESM, obtaining a B.A. in law and finance in 2010, followed by a master's degree in public law in 2012 and a Ph.D. in public policy and public administration in 2014. Subsequently, he earned a second Ph.D. in tax law at ITAC University in 2019, concluding with his last Ph.D. in constitutional law and governance at UANL in 2022.

Family

Samuel García started dating social media influencer Mariana Rodríguez Cantú in 2015, and were married on March 27, 2020, with their wedding ceremony taking place at the Metropolitan Cathedral of Monterrey. In April 2020, the couple announced they were expecting a baby, but one month later, Rodríguez experienced a miscarriage. On March 10, 2023, their first daughter, Mariel, was born.

García's father is the cousin of Gilberto García Mena, a former high-ranking member of the Gulf Cartel known as "El June".

Early political career

In 2014, García joined Rescatemos Nuevo León, an organization which allowed him to run for a local congressional seat through proportional representation.

Local deputy

Despite his loss to Marcelo Martínez Villarreal in the race for the 18th district seat during the 2015 Nuevo León state election, García successfully secured a congressional seat through proportional representation.

While he was a state deputy, he was named the parliamentary coordinator of Citizens' Movement in the Congress of Nuevo León. As part of his campaign, García pledged to donate his salary, a promise he fulfilled by donating to Un solo San Pedro.

In 2017, he assumed provisional leadership of the Citizens' Movement party in the state of Nuevo León, succeeding Pilar Lozano Mac Donald. He held this position until August 2, 2019, when Agustín Basave Alanís was elected as the state's party leader.

Senate of the Republic (2018–2020)

In the 2018 Mexican general election, Samuel García and Indira Kempis Martínez, nominated by Citizens' Movement (MC), successfully ran to represent Nuevo León in the Senate, obtaining 24.01% of the vote. At the age of 30, García became one of the youngest senators of the LXIV legislature, only being surpassed by Raúl Bolaños Cacho Cué of the Green Ecologist Party of Mexico (PVEM) at 30 years old, and by Citlalli Hernández and Claudia Balderas Espinoza of MORENA, who were 28 and 26 years old respectively.

During his tenure, García joined the opposition to President Andrés Manuel López Obrador's administration, aligning himself against the parliamentary coalition of the National Regeneration Movement (MORENA), the Labor Party (PT), the Social Encounter Party (PES), and the Ecologist Green Party of Mexico (PVEM). He served as the chairman of the Federalism and Municipal Development commission, secretary of the North American Foreign Affairs Commission, and member of several other commissions, including the Commission for Monitoring the Implementation of T-MEC, the Commission of Legislative Studies, the Commission of Finance and Public Credit, the Jurisdictional Commission, the Justice Commission, the Commission for Youth and Sports, and the Constitutional Points Commission.

In October 2018, he travelled to The Hague, Netherlands, as part of the Mexican Senate's appeal against the former governor of Veracruz, Javier Duarte de Ochoa, on charges of crimes against humanity before the International Criminal Court. The Mexican Senate accused Duarte of orchestrating the distribution of 70,000 counterfeit HIV tests and fraudulent treatments to children with cancer during his administration.

In October 2019, he filed a report with the Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office of the Attorney General's Office (FGR) against the then governor of Nuevo León, Jaime Rodríguez Calderón, alleging crimes such as money laundering and misappropriation of resources. He asserted that he possessed substantial evidence, referencing four judgments from the Electoral Tribunal of the Federal Judiciary (TEPJF) that purportedly implicated Jaime Rodríguez Calderón in these illicit activities.

According to García, he was the second most productive senator, having introduced 370 bills and points of agreement, in addition to making 119 speeches in the chamber.

On November 17, 2020, he sought temporary leave from his senatorial seat to pursue the governorship of Nuevo León in the 2021 gubernatorial elections. During his absence, Luis David Ortiz Salinas assumed his role.

2021 gubernatorial campaign

On November 18, 2020, he officially registered as a pre-candidate for the gubernatorial nomination of Citizens' Movement with the party's National Commission of Conventions and Internal Processes. Although rumors suggested that Luis Donaldo Colosio Riojas was also going to contend the nomination, he later declared his candidacy for the municipal president of Monterrey, leaving García as the sole contender. On February 18, 2021, his candidacy became officially registered with the State Electoral Commission (CEE).

On March 5, 2021, he kicked off his campaign at a conference where he unveiled proposals for a new tax agreement, a new vaccination plan funded with private investment, a new public transport system, a new infrastructure program, an intensified fight against corruption, and a new regional airport hub. He positioned himself as an incorruptible politician, emphasizing his non-involvement in corrupt systems, having avoided affiliations with the PRI, and having donated his salary for six years. He embraced the motto "Arrancar la vieja política de Nuevo León" (translating to "Eliminate the old politics of Nuevo León").

Criticizing the Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI) and its candidate, Adrián de la Garza Santos, along with the National Regeneration Movement candidate, Clara Luz Flores, he accused them of embodying "the old politics of the PRI," asserting, "They are both the same as always, those who have been looting Nuevo León for years. (...) if MORENA wins, the country, and therefore, Nuevo León, will end, if the PRI wins they will once again end the state." This criticism persisted upon the dissemination of a video in which Clara Luz Flores is seen talking with Keith Raniere, former leader of the NXIVM sect involved in sexual exploitation. García used this to criticize both of his opponents, stating "I ask, between Clara Luz and Adrián de la Garza, who of the two has the most criminal, evil, and perverse godfather? Which of the two has done and will do more damage to Nuevo León?"

His candidacy was criticized, as he has positioned himself as "a kind of political influencer".

Governor of Nuevo León (2021-present)

García was sworn in as the governor of Nuevo León on October 4, 2021.

Infrastructure

Expansion of Metrorrey

Throughout his campaign, García pledged to substantially expand the Metrorrey network. As governor, he unveiled plans for Lines 4, 5, and 6, which would add a total of 34 kilometers to the existing network. In early 2023, García conducted groundbreaking ceremonies for Lines 4 and 6, both designed as monorail systems on an elevated viaduct. García estimated that Line 4 and the first phase of Line 6 would be completed by late 2024, Line 5 in 2026, before the 2026 FIFA World Cup, and the later phases of Line 6 by 2027.

Line 5, originally planned as a monorail constructed on an elevated viaduct, saw pushback from many in south Monterrey, who preferred an underground system. In June 2023, García announced that Line 5 would instead be an Autonomous Rail Rapid Transit system, operating at ground level with some elevated sections.

Construction of new highways

García proposed new highways to enhance state connectivity, particularly facilitating direct access to the Laredo–Colombia Solidarity International Bridge. This initiative aimed to redirect cargo trucks around the Monterrey metropolitan area, easing traffic congestion in the city and eliminating the need for trucks to cross into Tamaulipas to reach the United States. As part of this initiative, Nuevo León State Highway 1 underwent phased reconstruction, addressing the highway's deteriorated condition, with the project costing more than MXN $170 million. Additionally, the Gloria-Columbia highway, a project proposed with the international bridge's construction in 1992, was completed at a total cost of MXN $1.11 billion.

A 45-kilometer extension of Anillo Periférico, which was left incomplete by the previous administration, was completed, requiring an investment of MXN $1.8 billion.

Liberty dam

García continued the construction of Liberty dam, the state's fourth dam with a capacity of 307 million m³, which the previous adminstration had started in early 2020, and was 25% complete by García's inauguration in October 2021. In 2023, García inaugurated the dam.

Environment

Air quality

Describing the air quality in the region as "shameful", in 2023, García launched the "Bosques Ciudadanos" initiative in Santa Catarina. The initiative aims to plant 200,000 trees annually, with the goal of reaching one million by the end of his term.

Between 2023 and 2024, due to deteriorating air quality, the state activated an environmental alert a total of eleven times, with most of the contamination coming from the Ing. Héctor R. Lara Sosa Refinery, which emits up to 90% of the sulfur dioxide present in the Monterrey metropolitan area. In 2023, García's administration proposed the Programa Integral de Gestión de la Calidad del Aire (PIGECA), a frameweork that aimed to reduce emissions of various companies in the state, but the refinery refused to participate. García expressed willingness in relocating the refinery and ten other polluting companies but cited a lack of state authority, as these companies belong to the federal government.

Santa Catarina river

On July 7, 2023, García initiated the deforestation of parts of the Santa Catarina river as a preventive measure against floods caused by a potential future hurricane. However, these actions stirred criticism and opposition for their perceived lack of consideration for ecosystem preservation. Consequently, the works were halted on July 12, and a congressional proposal emerged to designate the entire river extension as a protected natural area.

Response to the 2022 Nuevo León water crisis

In March 2022, García's government revealed that the water levels in Nuevo León's three reservoirs had reached a critical state, signaling the approach of a potential "Day Zero." In response, the state government implemented the "Agua para todos" water rationing program, dividing the metropolitan area into seven zones, each with distinct water supply schedules. However, protests and blockades erupted in various parts of the metropolitan area, as demonstrators claimed that there was an unequal distribution of water between the richer and poorer areas, with some areas experiencing water shortages lasting several weeks.

With the goal of increasing the chances of rainfall in the state, García started cloud seeding with silver iodide. However, he did not clarify the supplier of the compound to the state, the cost per kilogram, or the expert panel guiding these actions to mitigate potential environomental damage resulting from excessive use.

García often expressed dissatisfaction with social media criticism regarding the alleged mismanagement of water distribution, dismissing the situation and emphasizing that water supply issues, like electrical energy, were beyond the scope of his gubernatorial responsibilities.

In order to avoid a similar crisis, in 2023, García proposed the El Cuchillo II aqueduct, funded publicly and privately at MXN $12.24 billion, in order to transport more water from the El Cuchillo reservoir to the Monterrey metropolitan area. In late 2023, García and Andrés Manuel López Obrador inaugurated the aqueduct in two phases, with a capacity to transport up to 5,000 liters per second.

2023 Nuevo León political crisis

In October 2023, García requested a six-month leave, effective December 2, to run in the 2024 presidential election. He proposed Javier Navarro Velasco as his replacement. Despite the Congress of Nuevo León approving García's leave, they appointed Arturo Salinas Garza, the President of the Superior Court of Justice of Nuevo León, as interim governor, leading to a dispute. García contended the appointment was "illegal" and insisted that Navarro was meant to be the interim governor.

On November 13, Supreme Court Justice Javier Laynez Potisek annulled the appointment of Arturo Salinas Garza, citing a violation of the separation of powers since Salinas belonged to the judicial branch. Laynez emphasized that the authority to appoint an interim governor lies with the legislative branch, not the governor. He directed the state congress to designate a new interim governor.

On November 29, the state congress convened to appoint Deputy Attorney General Luis Enrique Orozco as interim governor. While the vote was underway, a group of citizens supporting García stormed the legislature, setting off a smoke bomb in the chamber. With the support of 25 out of the 42 state deputies, Orozco was named interim governor from December 2, 2023 to June 2, 2024. García rejected Orozco, calling him a "spurious interim governor." However, on December 1, the Supreme Court validated Orozco's appointment.

On December 2, the day García's leave took effect, Orozco officially assumed the interim governorship. Shortly thereafter, García declared his withdrawal from the presidential election, contending that he retained the governorship as he did not use his leave. The state congress asserted that the leave was valid, and a vote was required to revoke it. From December 2 to December 4, both García and Orozco claimed the governorship, leading to a constitutional crisis pending resolution through a legislative session or a Supreme Court ruling. However, on December 4, Orozco resigned, and the state congress confirmed García's reinstatement.

Political positions

García claims that Mexico's federal funding favors southern states despite northern states, like Nuevo León, contributing more to the treasury, controversially stating that "in Mexico, in the north, we work, in the center, they administer, and in the south, they rest". According to García, Mexico allocates money based on population, deprivation, and poverty, whereas in the rest of the world, it is typically done based on efficiency, GDP, productivity, and foreign trade.

García has expressed that he is not opposed to the legalization of marijuana, and has also expressed support for same-sex marriage, stating that "legal precedent recognizes and affirms their right."

As senator, García supported abortion, stating that "it's a complex issue, and I believe that a woman's right to decide should weigh more heavily." However, as governor of Nuevo León, García expressed opposition to it, urging the Congress of Nuevo León to reintroduce a previously removed paragraph to the state's constitution that acknowledged the beginning of life from conception.

He has criticized the political right, saying: "I believe that the political right or center-right seeks to achieve merit but at the expense of the most disadvantaged."

Controversies

Doctoral Degree at ITAC University

In June 2020, he was accused of falsifying the documentation accrediting the Doctorate in Tax Law he obtained at ITAC University, a private educational center in the city of Monterrey. Samuel García had shared photographs of his postgraduate degree and a certificate of honorable mention on the social network Instagram, but several users later pointed out the inconsistency of the ITAC University rector's signatures on both documents and the similarity of one of these with the signature of the vice-rector of the same institution. In his defense, Samuel García published a video in which he argued that the discrepancy was presented by an unofficial document, that he had completed his doctorate in due time and form, and that the person who had signed this document was, in fact, the vice-rector, since the rector was on sick leave. Subsequently, local media Info7 reported that ITAC University had ceased to function and that its facilities were abandoned.

Male chauvinism

On August 9, 2020, Samuel García, during an Instagram Live told his wife Mariana Rodríguez: "Turn up the camera, you're showing too much leg. I married you for me, not for you to go around showing". Many women in protest uploaded photos showing their legs on Twitter using the hashtag #YoEnseñoLoQueQuiera. García later apologized and affirmed that it was only a macho joke.

Golf assistant

On December 10, 2020, Samuel García, then pre-candidate for governor unleashed mockery on social media after an interview in the digital media Lo Esencial after mentioning that when he was 15 years old, his father made him work in his law office. Although on Fridays he went out for a walk with his friends and returned at two in the morning, his father forced him to get up on Saturday at five in the morning to accompany him to play golf and pay his salary after playing the 18 holes on the course. He said: "I would go to high school from eight to two, and dad would tell mom 'don't feed him, I will get him his food', I would go to the office and later to American football practice, but it was very hard because he would say to me: 'if you want me to pay you for the week, you have to go with me to golf on Saturday and finishing the 18 holes. Then I'll pay you for the week'."

"Small salary" of $50,000 pesos

On December 15, 2020, the podcast of the YouTuber Roberto Mtz (Roberto Adrián Martínez Osuna), in which Samuel García participated, started to go viral. During the interview, he was questioned about the salary of high-ranking politicians and if their compensation was not excessive, and if they should be philanthropists. He answered, "I have come across very valuable people who live on a small salary of $40 (thousand), $50 (thousand), and they are happy; they have enough for their family, for school fees". This answer went viral when the fragment (without using the communicator's question) was used as part of an opposition campaign. The response sparked ridicule and even indignation, since in Mexico workers on average barely earn between $3,696 and $7,393 pesos per month for jobs performed in the formal economy.

Electoral history

Publications

• — (2016). Federalismo fiscal en México: políticas para mejorar las finanzas públicas (Fiscal federalism in Mexico: policies to improve public finance). Editorial Porrúa.
• — (2018). La gran reforma hacendaría de los mexicanos (The great tax reform of the Mexicans). Procesos Editoriales Don José.
• — (2020). Nuevo León Frente a la pandemia (Nuevo León faced with the Pandemic).