Andrea Garcia, 47, is running for Riverside County Superior Court Judge (Hopp Seat) in the Nov. 3 general election. The nonpartisan race pits Garcia against Michelle Paradise.

Asked why she is seeking the bench, Garcia said in our candidate questionnaire: "I am running for judge because independent courts are a cornerstone of democracy and must remain free of propaganda. I will protect the courts from encroachment by the other branches of government and apply the law equally without favor to one party over another."

She added: "Being a judge is among the broadest forms of public service an attorney can undertake and requires ensuring everyone receives a fair hearing, even when the outcome is difficult, because public trust depends on it."

Candidate information

Residence: Riverside, California

Age: 47

Education: "I received my Juris Doctor from De Paul College of Law in Chicago with a certificate in International Law. I obtained my degree in Political Science with a minor in French from the University of Missouri-Columbia." She added: "I attended an all girls college preparatory high school in Kansas City called Notre Dame de Sion."

Family: "I am a wife and a mother. I live in Riverside, where I am choosing to raise my family. I am a third-generation Mexican American, raised in Kansas City's historic Mexican neighborhood, the Westside."

Languages: Garcia speaks English, Spanish and French, according to her Avvo profile.

Experience and public service

Garcia described her career in our questionnaire: "I am an experienced immigration trial attorney and current Deputy Public Defender with nearly 20 years representing marginalized communities." She said her first decade "was spent in private practice, fighting for due process for families seeking the American dream. I conducted hundreds of immigration trials and appeals to keep families together. I owned a small law firm."

She said she "created Riverside County's first immigration unit, closing the gap in effective representation for foreign-born clients, advising defense on preventing errors under the state constitution and statutes."

Garcia was admitted to the California State Bar in 2007 and is active with no misconduct found, according to her Avvo profile. The profile also states she has been certified by the State Bar of California as a specialist in immigration and nationality law since 2015.

Garcia has held no previous elected or appointed office.

On the issues

Judicial philosophy: Garcia said in a Press Enterprise questionnaire that she believes impartial courts are fundamental to democracy and would strive to impartially interpret and apply laws by reviewing each argument, reading relevant statutes, examining legislative intent and relying on precedent.

Key accomplishments: Asked what past accomplishments qualify her for the bench, Garcia said in our questionnaire: "I helped shape state laws on immigration: Penal Code section 372.5 (2022), an alternative plea that preserves defenses to deportation, and SB 873 (2026), which bars ICE arrests in and near state courts to protect due process." She added: "I led free immigration fairs across the Inland Empire and built a law firm that continues today, serving a region short of immigration legal services."

Differences from opponent: Garcia said in our questionnaire: "I bring judicial temperament, experience and support from all sides of the courtroom. I'm endorsed by 48 Superior Court judicial officers, which is more than my opponent. My primary opponent endorsed me." She added: "As the only full time working attorney practicing law, I'm in court routinely, so my knowledge is current."

Endorsements: Garcia's campaign endorsements page lists support from U.S. Congress members Dr. Raul Ruiz and Mark Takano, state Assemblymember Dr. Corey A. Jackson, state Sen. Sabrina Cervantes, former Riverside County Superior Court Presiding Judge John W. Vineyard and former primary opponent Jennifer Loflin.

Residents can follow Garcia's campaign at garciaforjudge2026.com.