Independent candidates accuse Garcia allies of using aggressive tactics in ballot challenges

CHICAGO (WLS) -- An Independent candidate running to replace retiring Congressman Jesus "Chuy" Garcia is criticizing his office for what she calls active involvement in efforts to remove her from the ballot.

Mayra Macias won a temporary reprieve Friday when a State Board of Elections hearing officer delayed a decision on a petition challenge filed against her.

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Petition challenges are common in Illinois politics. But in the race to succeed U.S. Rep. Garcia, two Independent candidates say the tactics being used this cycle have crossed a line.

"Patty Garcia's campaign used dirty machine tactics against the two Latino candidates to kick us off the ballot," Macias said.

The challenge to Macias' petitions was filed by allies of Patty Garcia, the congressman's chief of staff, who is not related to him. The congressman used a back-door maneuver that ensured she was the only Democrat to appear on the primary ballot.

A new development emerged during Friday's hearing when Manny Diaz, a senior advisor to "Chuy" Garcia, testified about his involvement in reviewing Macias' petition signatures.

Diaz declined to answer questions as he left the hearing room.

Macias sharply criticized his participation, saying, "the fact that we have a congressional staffer during work hours for Congressman 'Chuy' Garcia's office come in and actively try to kick us off the ballot is antithetical to democracy."

Another Independent candidate in the race, 25th Ward Alderman Byron Sigcho-Lopez, is facing a similar petition challenge.

He echoed Macias' concerns, saying, "they have now hired a handwriting expert at $600 an hour after they took my campaign all the way to Springfield to defend our petitions. Now they're doubling down and attempting to kick us off the ballot."

Both Macias and Sigcho-Lopez currently fall short of the required number of signatures to get on the ballot, but their cases will continue next month. The campaigns for Patty Garcia and "Chuy" Garcia did not respond to requests for comment.