Ileana Garcia is a Republican Florida State Senator representing District 36 in Miami-Dade County. Born on January 8 in Miami, Florida, to Cuban exile parents, she grew up in Allapattah and was raised by her mother and grandmother, emphasizing hard work and determination. She attended Miami Senior High School, graduating in 1987, and became a single mother at age 27 to her son, Victor Manuelle. Garcia is a Christian and currently cares for her elderly parents, grandparents, and extended family in South Miami.

Her career includes over 20 years as a Hispanic American radio and TV personality, broadcaster, programmer, and influencer in South Florida, starting at 610 WIOD and advancing to program director and television roles such as reporter and show host. She served as the first Hispanic female Deputy Press Secretary in the Department of Homeland Security's Office of Public Affairs.

Education and Political Experience

Education: Miami Senior High School ; educated in Miami-Dade public schools, where she excelled and graduated early.

Political Experience: Elected to the Florida Senate in 2020 . Notable positions include Chair of the Appropriations Committee on Criminal and Civil Justice, Vice Chair of Children, Families, and Elder Affairs, and member of Appropriations, Health and Human Services Appropriations, Criminal Justice, Ethics and Elections, and Rules committees.

Notable Achievements: Recognized by AARP Florida as a 2023 Capitol Caregiver for advancing elder care policies, including championing SB 232 , which expanded prosecution of exploitation crimes against adults aged 65+. In 2026, she introduced bills like S 120 and S 184 .