CHICAGO (AP) — U.S. Rep. Jesus “Chuy” Garcia confirmed Thursday that he won’t seek a fifth term, days after the Illinois Democrat backed a quiet effort to get
FILE - U.S. Rep. Jesús"Chuy" García marches in the Mexican Independence Day Parade, Sept. 14, 2025, in the Little Village neighborhood of Chicago. CHICAGO — U.S. Rep. Jesus “Chuy” Garcia confirmed Thursday that he won’t seek a fifth term, days after the Illinois Democrat backed a quiet effort to get his chief of staff to replace him on the March primary ballot.
Garcia, a progressive Democrat who has made immigrant rights a signature issue, becomes the fifth U.S. representative from Illinois to forgo 2026 reelection, leaving one of the highest number of open congressional seats in state history. All five are considered safely Democratic, along with a seat left open by retiring U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin. Garcia, 69, turned in his nominating petitions for the primary ballot on Monday, Oct. 27, the first day of the Illinois State Board of Elections filing period. A week later on the last day of filing, his chief of staff, Patty Garcia, who is not related to the congressman, submitted her own to enter the 4th District race after a furious weekend effort to gather 2,500 signatures. The congressman didn’t announce the plan publicly, opting for sporadic interviews with local media outlets. He said the decision to leave politics culminated from a confluence of health and family concerns during the “most stressful” week of his life. He said his wife, who has multiple sclerosis, suffered a medical setback and asked him not to run. Then his doctor raised concerns about his heart health. In the same time frame, the couple finalized the adoption of their 8-year-old grandson. They have been raising grandchildren after the death of their daughter, Rosa, in 2023. “My cardiologist, the first day that I filed my petitions, told me that I need to take care of myself and I need to find something else to do,” he told The Associated Press on Thursday. “It was a hell of a week.” Still, the political maneuver immediately fueled criticism about Chicago-style politics with the congressman essentially anointing his chief of staff to public office. Patty Garcia submitted her petitions at 5 p.m. on the final day of the nominating period, according to state election board data, guaranteeing that no other candidate would have the chance to run in the primary as a Democrat.“I totally get why some people have come to that conclusion. I found myself in a very difficult position. I had to scramble,” he said. “I had to make sure there was someone on the ballot who was going to be a champion for immigrants, someone who understands the district and small businesses and someone who would be hitting the ground running.” The congressman said he’ll withdrawn his petitions. He intends to serve out his term, which ends in January 2027. The situation also prompted déjà vu as Garcia was first elected to Congress in 2018 under similar circumstances. His predecessor, former U.S. Rep. Luis Gutierrez announced in the waning days of the 2017 filing period that he was dropping out and backing Garcia, then a Cook County commissioner who had served as a state legislator and Chicago City Council member.Born in Mexico, he came to the U.S. as a child. He was a college activist, organizing sit-ins for establishing a Latino cultural center. He later helped found community groups and served as a water commissioner under the city’s first Black mayor, Harold Washington. The mild-mannered politician — highly recognizable for his trademark mustache — has remained popular in his district, which includes Latino and immigrant-heavy areas. Most recently, he’s made headlines for calling for reforms at a suburban Chicago immigration processing center. As congressman, he’s touted bringing back more than $50 million in funding back to his district dozens of projects, including school programs, a suburban flooding project, a library expansion and funding a clinic for low-income residents.“I am not stepping out. I am stepping back,” he said. “This doesn’t mean that I will disappear or cease to be active. I intend to be a mentor, someone who shares the history and struggles.” Patty Garcia, 40, has worked for the congressman since he took office. She did not respond to requests for comment this week. The congressman said his departure, along with others from the Illinois congressional delegation, would be a good thing.Four other representatives have said they won’t seek reelection next year. U.S. Reps. Jan Schakowsky and Danny Davis are retiring, while Raja Krishnamoorthi and Robin Kelly are running for Senate.CHICAGO — U.S. Rep. Jesus “Chuy” Garcia confirmed Thursday that he won’t seek a fifth term, days after the Illinois Democrat backed a quiet effort to get his chief of staff to replace him on the March primary ballot. Garcia, a progressive Democrat who has made immigrant rights a signature issue, becomes the fifth NEW YORK — The world’s richest man was just handed a chance to become history’s first trillionaire. Elon Musk won a shareholder vote on Thursday that would give the Tesla CEO stock worth $1 trillion if he hits certain performance targets over the next decade. The vote followed weeks of debate over his management NEW YORK — The captain of one of the Delta Air Lines regional jets that collided at the intersection of two taxiways at LaGuardia Airport in New York last month told investigators he did not recall hearing instructions to give way to the other plane, according to a preliminary report Thursday from the National EAST GREENBUSH, N.Y. — The towering Christmas tree that will light up Rockefeller Center this holiday season is on its way to New York City. The 75-foot-tall , 11-ton Norway spruce was felled Thursday morning in East Greenbush, an Albany suburb located about 150 miles north of Manhattan. The tree was then WASHINGTON — Nancy Pelosi is bringing her history-making career in the U.S. House to an end, but she leaves a linguistic legacy in Congress and beyond. The enduring leadership of the first woman to become speaker of the House can not only be seen but also heard. The turns of phrase she uses — UNITED NATIONS — The U.N. Security Council voted Thursday to lift a series of sanctions on Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa and members of his government days before he is set to arrive in the U.S. for a historic visit to the White House. The U.S. resolution to drop U.N. sanctions tied to al-Sharaa and Discover Kitsap County’s creative soul: Where Nordic charm meets gothic gardens and ancient traditions thrive Kitsap County is full of wonderfully weird, authentically artsy, and unexpectedly magical corners that make visitors become locals and locals never want to leave.A whole-home generator isn’t a luxury — it’s a lifeline Tyson O’Neill, owner of Generator Supercenter of Puget Sound in Lynnwood, said homeowners must stop treating backup power like a luxury.As small and medium-sized businesses in the Seattle-Tacoma region prepare to capitalize on renewed economic momentum and easing interest rates, Bonneville Seattle stands as the premier media partner to amplify their growth.Medicare open enrollment runs from Oct. 15 to Dec. 7, giving beneficiaries a crucial opportunity to review and change their plans.If you’ve been thinking about upgrading your heating, air conditioning, or heat pump system, 2025 is the year to act.
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