Sylvia Garcia was born in San Diego, Texas, in 1950. She earned a bachelor's degree in social work and political science from Texas Woman's University in 1972 and a J.D. from Thurgood Marshall School of Law at Texas Southern University in 1978. Garcia’s career experience includes working as a social worker and a legal aid lawyer. She served as director and presiding judge of the Houston Municipal System. Garcia was elected city controller in Houston and the Harris County Commissioner's Court. Garcia served in the Texas Senate from 2013 to 2018.