David Garcia, Democratic candidate for Arizona governor, was guest speaker at the Sept. 6 Fountain Hills Liberal Ladies meeting.

Garcia, an ASU statistics professor, is a fourth generation Arizonan. He is a decorated army infantryman trained as a chemical warfare specialist and an expert marksman. He has dedicated his career to improving Arizona schools. He’s highly supportive of families and the middle class.

Married to his high school sweetheart, with two daughters, Garcia is a graduate from Mesa High, ASU and the University of Chicago. He also is part Salt River Pima Indian.

Garcia told the membership that public education is America’s greatest asset. Every success in every other area of life is based on providing American students with an excellent education.

Garcia’s six-pronged approach to Arizona’s future drew applause from the audience. He said he will first tackle Arizona’s economy. Businesses must profit and decide to remain in Arizona because of our economic climate.

He said his second prong is that education is a high priority. Childhood is the most precious thing, and Arizona must be a great place for every child. The low investment in public education holds Arizona back economically, since great schools and a well-trained workforce will draw business. Teachers must be treated as professionals and paid commensurately if the best are to be attracted.

Third, Garcia said healthcare also is a high priority. All Arizonans must have access to affordable healthcare. The state is set up to easily step into a Medicare-for-all system in the future, he said.

Fourth, Garcia called for attention to renewable energy and climate. He said Arizona must make solar a priority as its economic energy driver and re-train those working in the coal industry for solar jobs.

Fifth, Garcia believes Arizona must tackle the immigration issue. The state highly benefits from low-cost immigrant labor. He said the state should also help DACA students to attain legal status. Immigrants’ families should not be broken up, he added.

Garcia asked for the club’s support in winning the election next year. He said he lost his run for state superintendent of public education by a half-percentage point and believes he can best champion education at the governor’s level.

Garcia answered questions at the end of his presentation.

Liberal Ladies will meet next on Wednesday, Oct. 11, at Eagle Mountain Golf Club. The group usually meets the first Wednesday of the month.

After the October meeting, Liberal Ladies will meet at the Community Center.