Rep. Jesús 'Chuy' García will not seek reelection, sources say; chief of staff files to run for seat
CHICAGO (WLS) -- More change in the makeup of the state's congressional delegation is coming.
Rep. Jesús "Chuy" García, who represents Illinois' 4th Congressional District, will not seek reelection in 2026, sources told ABC7 on Monday. His chief of staff submitted her own petitions to run for his seat just moments before Monday's 5 p.m. deadline.
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Patty Garcia, who is not related to the congressman, became his chief of staff in 2023 after serving as his district director since 2019. Now, she is the only choice for the Democratic nomination in the 4th District, a glide path to a seat in Congress in 2026.
The move blocks a full contest for the Democratic nomination. Critics call it a coronation, a hallmark of the old Chicago way to do politics.
The Illinois State Board of Elections received the congressman's petitions to run for his seat on Oct. 27. Sources told ABC7 that he plans to serve out his term.
The move means there are now five open House seats and an open Senate race in the March 17 primary.
In the 2nd Congressional District, Rep. Robin Kelly is stepping down to run for Sen. Dick Durbin's seat; Rep. Jan Schakowsky announced her retirement in the 9th District; longtime Rep. Danny Davis is retiring from the 7th District; and in the 8th District, Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi will run for Senate.
ABC7 could not reach Rep. García for comment on Monday.
The last-minute decision drew some jeers, including a blistering statement from the Urban Center, a centrist nonprofit dedicated to a "common sense" agenda for families and economic development.
"Shame on Congressman Chuy García who built a reputation by casting himself as a reformer and man of the people only to throw it away. This will be his legacy," a statement from the Urban Center reads, in part.
Rep. García is 69 and served as Chicago alderman, Cook County commissioner and state senator. He was also a two-time mayoral candidate.
He took over the 4th District from then-Rep. Luis Gutierrez in 2018, when he suddenly announced his resignation.
