John Kevin McVoy Jr. was sentenced to 35 years to life for shooting and killing Susan Garcia while she was holding her 2-year-old son during an argument about the 2016 presidential election.

McVoy, 40, of Corona, California, was given the maximum sentence Monday, according to the Long Beach Press-Telegram. He was convicted of murder last month.

McVoy was in a garage band with the victim's husband, Victor Garcia. Prosecutors said the two men argued over politics at Garcia's home in North Long Beach while practicing on Jan. 10, 2017.

McVoy was teased for saying he voted for Hilary Clinton in the 2016 presidential election and Garcia told him to leave, prosecutors said.

Prosecutor Irene Lee said Garcia snapped his fingers, pointed at the door, and said "Get the (expletive) out of my house," the Long Beach Press-Telegram reported.

After that, prosecutors said McVoy pulled a gun, shooting and injuring Garcia, and fatally shooting Susan Garcia, 33, as their child sat in her lap. The bullet first struck Susan Garcia in her left arm and then pierced her organs, according to the Long Beach Press-Telegram.

The child didn't suffer any injuries.

The political divide broadened in 2016 after former President Donald Trump's upset victory in which he lost the popular vote but won the Electoral College. It became wider following the 2020 presidential election, which Trump claims was rigged despite no evidence of broad voter fraud and his claims often being debunked by members of his party.

Tumult from the fraud claims and general deterioration of modern political discourse helped lead to the Jan. 6 insurrection by Trump supporters at the Capitol building in Washington, D.C.

Polling also shows the majority of Republicans don't believe President Joe Biden was fairly elected.

John Kevin McVoy Jr., Shooting, Political Argument
John Kevin McVoy Jr. was teased for saying he voted for Hilary Clinton in the 2016 presidential election during a garage band rehearsal at Victor Garcia's house and Garcia told him to leave, prosecutors said. In this photo is a 2016 U.S, presidential campaign 'bumper sticker' in the rear window of a car parked in Alexandria, Virginia, indicates the owner's support of Hillary Clinton. Robert Alexander/Getty Images

Victor Garcia was shot in the head. He told the court on Monday that he was in a coma for months, underwent two brain surgeries and still has physical issues.

McVoy said he didn't intend to hurt anyone and apologized to the family.

"As far as my remorse, I think about this every day," he said.

At trial, McVoy's attorney argued that he shot Garcia in self-defense after being threatened but Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Laura Laesekce said McVoy was at fault for bringing the loaded gun and aiming it at Garcia.

"There's no reason to be pointing a gun," she said. "Mr. Garcia should not bear the weight of this crime."

The Associated Press contributed to this report.