Photo By Ana Henderson | Yuma Proving Ground Information Technology Specialist Carlos Garcia was selected to...... read more read more
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Carlos Garcia, an Information Technology Specialist at Yuma Proving Ground (YPG), recently seized a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to take part in two town halls hosted by Univision Noticias, where he engaged directly with both major 2024 presidential candidates.
Garcia was like many voters who received daily election-related text messages. Most got deleted but one caught his attention, “This message stood out because it mentioned Univision. I’ve grown up watching Univision in my home; it’s a well-known Hispanic channel,” he explained.
The survey, conducted by a global market research company, was hosted on a legitimate website and offered respondents compensation for their time. After completing the survey he participated in a two-hour Zoom meeting with other selected participants to discuss their own potential questions for the candidates. Garcia underwent a screening process that included a questionnaire submitted to the Secret Service. Following approval from producers after analyzing Garcia’s questions, he learned he would attend both town halls.
“I was excited, shocked, and then immensely grateful to have the opportunity to represent my Latino community, my city and my state,” Garcia reflected.
In the lead-up to the events, Garcia and the other selected participants underwent intensive television training to prepare for their appearances on national television. A videographer from Tucson visited his home to capture footage, offering Univision viewers a glimpse into his life.
When the time arrived, Univision flew Garcia from Yuma to Las Vegas for Vice President Kamala Harris's town hall on Oct. 10, 2024. Shortly after, he traveled to Miami to attend former President Donald Trump's town hall on Oct. 16, 2024. The night before each event, Garcia was filled with a whirlwind of emotions.
“There were a lot of emotional moments the day before—nervousness, excitement —every possible feeling was present. It was meaningful to me to have this once-in-a-lifetime experience,” he shared.
When it came time to meet both candidates in person, Garcia felt empowered, knowing his questions could help shape how Americans vote. He stood before a live audience, just 10 to 15 feet from the potential future leaders of the United States, and confidently asked his questions.
“In those moments when I was asking the questions, my focus was solely on the task at hand. We had practiced our questions countless times. All I hoped for was that the candidates would answer thoughtfully and inspire young adults and Americans like me to exercise their right to vote,” he reflected.
Garcia shared how honored he feels to be part of the election process. “It’s like I’m building a legacy, setting an example for future generations, especially my nephews and nieces. I want to show them what’s possible, and I take a lot of pride in that,” he commented.
Videos of the town halls, featuring Garcia’s questions and the candidates' answers, continue to circulate on television and online.
"A lot of people have reached out to me lately to thank me for asking bold, informative questions and for representing our community,” he said.
| Date Taken: | 11.05.2024 |
| Date Posted: | 11.05.2024 08:38 |
| Story ID: | 484585 |
| Location: | YUMA PROVING GROUND, ARIZONA, US |
| Web Views: | 145 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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