Rep. Jesús 'Chuy' García says he did nothing wrong amid election subversion accusation

CHICAGO (WLS) -- Congressman Jesús "Chuy" García is defending himself after the House slapped him with formal rebuke on Tuesday.

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The retiring representative came under fire for maneuvers that cleared the way for his chief of staff to run unopposed for his seat in the 2026 Democratic primary.

Congressman García maintains that he did nothing wrong, even though 23 House Democrats sided with Republicans in calling him out for so-called "election subversion."

"The vote on the disapproval resolution came about because one Democrat, and the entire MAGA Republican Caucus, brought it to the floor," García said.

García was in damage control mode on Wednesday, suggesting he is the victim of political vindictiveness.

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It comes after the House voted to rebuke him for what many consider machine-style politics that cleared the way for only one person to file petitions in time to run to replace him: his chief of staff Patty Garcia. The two have no family relation.

"I respect people's views and those who may be skeptical about the process, but the process was a real one for me," Rep. García said.

García cited personal and family health concerns and the adoption of a grandchild for the decision on Nov. 3 to retire at the end of this term.

That was the last day for candidates to submit petitions to run for his seat.

Two days earlier, Patty Garcia started collecting signatures to get on the ballot; and "Chuy" García was the first person to sign.

As news spread, it prompted moderate Washington Congresswoman Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, a fellow Democrat, to file her resolution to condemn García.

"I'm not a lawyer, but I know that when I see somebody subverting an election and choosing their successor. That's not what democracy is about," Gluesenkamp Perez said.

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"If there was a conversation where he and his staff really wanted Patty Garcia to take over the seat, then they could have left it for an open Democratic primary and endorsed her and stumped for her and fundraised for her in a way that we could still end up with the same result," North Central College political science professor Suzanne Chod said.

Rep. García says he had to put his family first.

"I understand why people can be skeptical because there have been many shenanigans that have occurred in politics over the years in Chicago," he said.

García now faces similar questions about shenanigans, which could pose challenges for Patty Garcia.

"[Patty] Garcia, as a woman, already has a harder time demonstrating legitimacy in these male-dominated spaces, and so it doesn't do her any favors in terms of her own legitimacy of being a representative in this district that she is going to rise to be in the seat in this way," Chod said.

Because the 4th Congressional District is considerably a solid Democratic seat, Patty Garcia is considered highly likely to win the seat in November.

Despite no primary opponent, she could face two Democrats running as Independents, along with Republican challengers.