When the parents of Republican state Rep. Marilinda Garcia looked north from Massachusetts for a new home in the Granite State, they moved for the very things she wants to preserve with her return to Concord.

“They wanted a larger yard for their kids, more opportunities for educational experiences, (the chance to) play tennis and baseball and all these different things. We really didn’t have those opportunities in Massachusetts,” Garcia said.

“My parents wanted a better standard of living for myself and my brother and sister.”

On April 28, the 26-year-old Garcia easily secured the vacant District 4 seat in the New Hampshire House – encompassing the two southern communities of Windham and Salem – after beating rival Sheila Murray in a special election. Garcia had previously served a term in the House from 2006 to 2008, but lost her re-election bid last fall. The District 4 seat opened up earlier this year after Republican Mark Pearson vacated his seat to take a job in Hudson.

As Garcia looks forward to serving out the rest of Pearson’s term, she hopes to safeguard the New Hampshire advantage, from keeping the state attractive to business owners and entrepreneurs to maintaing the Granite State’s natural beauty. A harpist, Garcia said the opportunity to travel as a performer had helped her keep her appreciation of her home state.

“Growing up, I played a lot with traveling orchestras. I’ve been fortunate to see much of the world and across the United States,” said Garcia, who also holds a degree from the New England Conservatory of Music as well as a degree from Tufts University. “There are some places that have charm ... but New Hampshire, I’m always happy to come back to.”

Her background in the performing arts has also allowed her to connect with children as a music teacher and aided her as an elected official in Concord. Years of being on the stage taught her how to present herself calmly in front of large audiences, taking away the nervousness associated with public speaking, she said.

Donna Sytek, a former Speaker of the New Hampshire House and a mentor of Garcia’s, said the 26-year-old candidate impressed her with her character as well as her ability to put a young face on traditional Republican values.

“I met her as a candidate and she was so unusual, her being young, a woman and being so capable. I was impressed with her confidence ... She’s not afraid to stand up for what she believes in, and to find a young person who is so confident is a rare combination,” Sytek said. “It’s certainly encouraging for us to have somebody to pass the torch to.”

For the time being, Garcia is focusing on her district seat and becoming an effective legislator as well as finishing up her master’s degree in public policy from the Harvard University Kennedy School of Government. But her return to Concord has drawn attention from across the state.

Former Gov. John H. Sununu, current chairman of the New Hampshire Republican State Committee, praised Garcia as a great candidate and hard worker.

“We were very pleased with the result (of the election),” Sununu said. “We think she represents the kind of young Republican that is certainly important to the party, and since she is so informed and well spoken, we’re looking for great things from her.”