Rep. Jesús 'Chuy' García's decision to exit 2026 race, anoint his chief of staff draws criticism

CHICAGO (WLS) -- Rep. Jesús "Chuy" García's political career began at Chicago's City Hall when he was elected as an alderman in 1986.

Some say the way the respected progressive politician is ending his career in elected office is not so progressive.

ABC7 Chicago is now streaming 24/7. Click here to watch

From center stage at the "No Kings" rally to a Labor Day demonstration, García is often seen at public events that center around progressive issues, especially immigration. His decision not to run for reelection to Illinois' 4th Congressional District and quickly anoint his chief of staff has come as a surprise to many.

"It's terribly unfortunate that Chuy García decided to go this route and deny the voters of the fourth district the opportunity to have their voices heard or to even run for this office," said 15th Ward Ald. Ray Lopez.

Lopez has previously run against García. The congressman, who plans to finish his term, filed his petitions but decided not to run again within the last few days.

"If we had know sooner, like we saw in other congressional districts, I might have entertained that, but unfortunately, that is a mute point," Lopez said. "For someone who says he was above machine politics, someone who said he was about progressive, inclusive politics... to pull this maneuver that short-circuit the democratic process is hypocritical, at best, and disgusting, at worst."

According to an interview with Capitol Fax, García's campaign helped his chief of staff, Patty Garcia, gather enough signatures over the weekend in time for Monday's filing deadline. She is not related to the congressman.

"He basically gamed the system and made sure that he could put his protégé in place with no opposition, so that he could then step aside," said ABC7 Political Analyst Laura Washington.

It is how García became a congressman in 2018. Former Congressman Luis Gutierrez pulled his petitions days before filing deadline. A day later, García announced his candidacy with Gutierrez's backing.

García told Capitol Fax that he recently made the decision not to run after his wife asked him not to. She has Multiple Sclerosis. Garcia also cited other personal issues, including his own health.

García said, "My decision was based on love for my family, for my community, and for... not just someone who talks about family values and fights for families but being about it."

"This couldn't have been a sudden decision, because Patty Garcia has her petitions ready to file in his place, so this is something that was planned," Washington said. "My guess is that it's something personal , that he feels that he needs to step aside, perhaps family reasons."

Regardless, some say while Democrats are fighting for democracy, he could have decided sooner so others could have run.

"I think it will leave a big question mark at the end of his legacy. He had always been a progressive stalwart, but this kind of move is not something that a progressive does," Washington said.

Patty Garcia became the congressman's chief of staff in 2023 after serving as his district director since 2019. While she is the only Democrat, she is not alone in the race. A Republican candidate and an independent met Monday's petition deadline to run for Congress in the 4th District.

"She's well known on Capitol Hill because she's been working for him in several different roles in his office for many years," Washington said. "She also has a deep background in public policy, education policy. She has a PhD in education so that's something that I think that might inform her work. She doesn't have any elected experience or legislative experience . She's going to be pretty green on that side of the aisle."

This is the fifth House of Representatives vacancy in Illinois, as incumbents either retire or run for different offices. There's also a Senate seat up for grabs.

In the 2nd Congressional District, Rep. Robin Kelly is stepping down to run for Sen. Dick Durbin's seat.

Raja Krisnamoorthi is doing the same in the 8th District.

Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky announced her retirement in the 9th District. Congressman Danny Davis is doing the same in the 7th District.