Award-winning Ernie Garcia biography returns in paperback October 13

University Press of Kansas will release a new paperback edition of Dennis R. Garcia’s biography of Ernest “Ernie” Garcia on Oct. 13, 2026, extending the reach of a book that traces his rise from Kansas roots to the U.S. Marine Corps, the U.S. Senate and Kansas public service. The paperback follows the book’s gold medal win for Best Biography at the International Latino Book Awards.

Why it matters: - The paperback release puts an award-winning biography back in print for new readers and anyone who wants to revisit Ernest “Ernie” Garcia’s life story. - The book preserves a Mexican American family history that ties together Kansas, military service and public leadership. - The release adds momentum to Dennis R. Garcia’s broader effort to document Mexican American contributions to American history.

What happened: - University Press of Kansas will publish a new paperback edition of Marine, Public Servant, Kansan: The Life of Ernest Garcia on Oct. 13, 2026. - The book is by Dennis R. Garcia and tells the story of Ernest “Ernie” Garcia. - The biography follows Garcia from a Kansas childhood to the U.S. Marine Corps and then to state and national public service. - Ernie Garcia served as Sergeant at Arms of the U.S. Senate. - Ernie Garcia escorted President Ronald Reagan to the podium for the State of the Union Address. - Ernie Garcia later served as Superintendent of the Kansas State Highway Patrol.

The details: - The book draws on oral histories from Ernie Garcia, family members and friends. - The narrative reaches back to earlier generations and their journey from Mexico to El Paso and Kansas. - The biography covers early loss of Ernie Garcia’s father, discrimination, education, military service and a public-service career alongside state and national leaders. - The hardcover edition won the gold medal for Best Biography at the International Latino Book Awards. - The paperback gives longtime readers a new edition while introducing the biography to first-time readers. - The book details list the author as Dennis Raphael Garcia. - The publisher is University Press of Kansas. - The paperback ISBN is 9780700643707.

Between the lines: - Dennis R. Garcia said he was interested not only in Ernie Garcia’s accomplishments but also in how he reached them. - Garcia said Ernie Garcia’s story was shaped by earlier generations, a Kansas upbringing, education, hard work and a commitment to service. - Garcia’s recent book, Las Madres: Latinas in the Heartland Who Led Their Family to Success, continues the same family-history focus, but centers on three generations of women. - Together, the two books show Garcia’s effort to keep family stories connected to broader American history.

What's next: - Readers can order the paperback beginning Oct. 13, 2026. - More information about Dennis R. Garcia and his books is available at More information. - Garcia is available for interviews and speaking engagements. - Garcia’s social accounts are listed as @drgarciaauthor on Facebook, Instagram and Bluesky.

The bottom line: - The new paperback gives a wider audience access to a biography that links one Kansan’s life to military service, public leadership and Mexican American history.