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Dem rep says on Election Day he won't run again, setting up chief of staff to replace him
By Rachel Wolf, Louis Casiano, Tyler Olson
Published November 04, 2025
Rep. Jesús "Chuy" García, D-Ill., is reportedly not planning on seeking re-election despite filing to run, setting up a coronation for his chief of staff, who filed as the only other person to run for his seat right at the deadline on Monday night.
The lawmaker, who was first elected to Congress in 2018, represents parts of the southwest side of Chicago.
Garcia, 69, had given no public indication that he wasn't planning to seek reelection, and he filed to run on Oct. 27. He hasn't announced that he isn't running publicly, but he texted Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin, D-Ill., that he isn't running this morning, Durbin told Fox News.
Garcia's chief of staff, Patty Garcia, filed to run at 5 p.m. Monday, which left no time for any other candidates to file to challenge her, setting up an unopposed run for her boss's seat.
Durbin told Fox News that from his Tuesday conversation with the congressman, "there are personal and family reasons that came up in the last week or two that drew him to that conclusion" not to run. Fox News has reached out to Garcia's office for comment but has not received a response.
Durbin further said of Garcia that "we look forward to working together for the next year, and I really value his friendship. He is a very effective leader and well respected."
HOUSE REPUBLICAN PLANS TO LEAVE CONGRESS AFTER MORE THAN 2 DECADES IN OFFICE
Rep. Jesús "Chuy" García, D-Ill., speaks during a press conference after being denied entry to a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility in Broadview, Ill., on June 18, 2025. (Octavio Jones/Reuters)
Jesús García's decision was first reported by FOX 32 Chicago.
The local station noted that Patty Garcia previously served as the congressman's district director, and prior to that, she served with the Latino Center for Leadership Development.
Chicago Alderman Raymond Lopez, a former challenger to Rep. García, criticized the move, telling FOX 32 that "the machine's gonna do what the machine's gonna do."
"For the party of ‘No Kings,' this is a bad look," Lopez told FOX 32, referencing the widespread anti-President Donald Trump "No Kings" protests.
Rep. Jesús "Chuy" García, D-Ill., spoke at the House Judiciary Subcommittee hearing on Immigration Integrity, Security, and Enforcement on Wednesday. (Screenshot/House Judiciary GOP)
"Chuy coronates his Chief of Staff to replace him using same machine tactics that got him the seat from Luis Gutierrez, denies a true open primary like every other open congressional district race but hey, #NoKings right?" Lopez wrote on X. "#Hypocrites."
The Urban Center, a centrist nonprofit organization in Chicago, also slammed the maneuver.
In a statement, Juan Rangel, CEO of The Urban Center, classified the move as a "classic machine maneuver from a career politician who seeks to deny the voters a say on their representation," according to FOX 32.
Prior to his election to Congress, García served on the Cook County Board of Commissioners and challenged then-incumbent Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel in 2015, forcing him into a runoff election.
The Chicago Sun Times said that two sources confirmed the lawmaker's plan to step down and added that he is expected to pull the petitions that were filed late last month. His decision to step down leaves the city with five open congressional seats and an open Senate race ahead of the March primary.
DICK DURBIN, NO. 2 SENATE DEMOCRAT, WON'T SEEK RE-ELECTION
In April, Durbin shook up Illinois politics when he announced that he would not seek re-election in 2026 for what would have been his sixth term. When he made the announcement that he would be retiring, Durbin, 80, who was first elected to the Senate in 1996, said the decision was not an easy one.
"I truly love the job of being a United States Senator. But in my heart, I know it’s time to pass the torch," Durbin said.
Rep. Jesus García speaks during the press conference as families of Americans killed by Israeli forces and settlers gather outside the U.S. Capitol on Sept. 16, 2025, in Washington, D.C. (Celal Gunes/Anadolu via Getty Images)
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In addition to the candidate shakeup, Illinois Democrats are considering a redistricting plan. While last week the lawmakers refused to vote on the plan during their veto session, they maintained that "all options" remained on the table, according to FOX 32.
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/democratic-rep-jesus-chuy-garcia-declines-seek-re-election