ROB GARAGIOLA FOR CONGRESS

About Rob Garagiola

Born into a middle-class family and himself the father of three, Rob understands first-hand the challenges faced by families across Maryland.

Growing up, Rob’s family moved around the country for his father’s job in retail. To earn money for college, Rob waited tables, worked in fast food, and even took the night shift unloading vegetables at the local grocery store.

After college, Rob wanted to serve his country in uniform. Enlisting in the U.S. Army Reserve in 1995, Rob served as a Sergeant in the 450th Civil Affairs Battalion (Airborne) and for approximately one year in the 150th JAG Detachment (Legal Support Organization). 

In 2002, Rob was settled with his young and growing family in Montgomery County when he was approached to run for the State Senate in a Republican-held seat. Though it was an uphill campaign, Rob was able to become the only Democratic Maryland Senate candidate to unseat a Republican incumbent in a challenging election year. He did it by listening to voters and reaching out to Republicans, Democrats, and Independents.

In the State Senate, Rob Garagiola has earned a reputation for working hard and advancing innovative solutions to complicated challenges. Since rising to the office of State Senate Majority Leader, Rob has used his position to make a difference in people’s lives.

He led the fight to roll back Maryland’s “computer tax” that would have cost hi-tech jobs. He cut government waste and cracked down on sexual predators. He also founded the bipartisan Maryland Veterans Caucus, to help Maryland’s veterans with health care and educational opportunities.

Rob stood up for Maryland’s most vulnerable children, while also helping Maryland public schools avoid the deep cuts that so many other states have imposed on their classrooms. He’s also been a national leader on environmental and renewable energy issues.  Most importantly, he’s focused on innovative ways to create jobs in Maryland.

Now Rob Garagiola is running for Congress to be a champion of Maryland’s struggling middle class families.

Rob knows that too many people have kept up their end of the bargain by working hard and playing by the rules, yet now find themselves just one layoff, one illness, one accident away from tumbling out of the middle class. He will help break the partisan logjam in Washington that has bogged our country down in petty partisan politics and endless debates. Rob wants to bring the focus back to creating desperately needed jobs and moving our country forward again.  

In Congress, Rob will stand up to extremist politics that threaten Maryland families. He will dedicate himself to real solutions on responsible spending and jobs.

About Rob and Cindy Garagiola

Rob started dating his wife Cindy while both were at Rutgers University. Now married to his college sweetheart for 17 years, Rob and Cindy are the proud parents of three children, Jonathan, Alyssa and Erica. Cindy is a teacher in the Frederick County public schools; she and Rob are raising their family in Germantown.  Together, they are active in a number of community organizations.