Brookhaven Republican chairman Jesse Garcia got the nod last week to also head his party as Suffolk Republican Committee chairman.
Current Suffolk GOP leader John J. LaValle stepped away from his role as party chairman in March. His plans are still unannounced.
Garcia, who is a Suffolk Board of Elections GOP Hispanic outreach coordinator, will take the helm officially after the April 10 GOP party convention.
But he started his political career in Patchogue, emulating the example his father, Jesus Garcia, led. Jesus Garcia fled Cuba and sought asylum in the U.S. He moved to Patchogue in 1970.
“My dad is my hero,” said Garcia, whose father died last year. “I learned a lot about community service from him. He was an avid member of La Union Hispanica and was involved with community groups including the Patchogue Lions Club and Patchogue Youth Athletic Association…
