Carlos Garcia, an Information Technology Specialist at Yuma Proving Ground (YPG), recently took advantage of a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to attend two town halls hosted by Univision Noticias, where he engaged directly with both major 2024 presidential candidates.

Garcia was like many voters who received election-related text messages daily. Most were deleted, but one caught her eye: “This message stood out because it mentioned Univision. I grew up watching Univision in my house; 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 compensated respondents for their time. After completing the survey, he participated in a two-hour Zoom meeting with other selected participants to discuss his own potential candidate questions. Garcia underwent a screening process that included a questionnaire sent to the Secret Service. After approval from the producers, after reviewing Garcia’s questions, he learned that he would go to both town halls.

“I was excited, shocked and then extremely grateful to have the opportunity to represent my Latino community, my city and my state,” Garcia reflected.

In the run-up to the events, Garcia and the other selected contestants underwent intensive television training to prepare for their appearances on national television. A Tucson videographer visited his home to film, giving Univision viewers a glimpse into his life.

When the time came, Univision flew Garcia from Yuma to Las Vegas for Vice President Kamala Harris’ town hall on October 10, 2024. Shortly thereafter, she traveled to Miami to attend former President Donald Trump’s town hall on October 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 for 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 in front of 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, I was just focusing on the task at hand. We had practiced our questions countless times. All I hoped was that the candidates would respond thoughtfully and inspire young adults and Americans like me to exercise their right to vote,” he reflected.

Garcia shared how honored he is to be a part of the election process. “It’s like building a legacy, setting an example for future generations, especially my nephews and nieces. I want to show them what’s possible and I’m very proud of that,” he commented.

Videos of the town halls, featuring Garcia’s questions and the candidates’ answers, continue to circulate on television and online.

“Many people have contacted me lately to thank me for asking bold and informative questions and representing our community,” he said.