A House Democrat has accused another Democrat of undermining the integrity of the Democratic Party’s election process by enabling the chief of staff’s campaign in a shocking display of internal party conflict. Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, a Washington-based Democrat, filed a privileged resolution accusing Rep. Jesús ‘Chuy’ García, D-Ill., of violating the ‘free and fair election’ standards by allowing his chief of staff to run for the party’s primary under his guidance.
The charges emerged after García unexpectedly withdrew from his re-election bid in 2026, clearing the path for his chief of staff, Patty García, to enter the race. The situation has led to rare public tensions within the party, with Gluesenkamp Perez leading the charge by filing the privileged resolution. This move, which is a parliamentary mechanism to force a House vote within two congressional work days, has surprised many in the House chamber, as it is uncommon for such disputes to surface on the floor.
García had initially filed to run for re-election in recent weeks but decided to withdraw, citing health reasons and a desire to spend time with his grandchildren. His chief of staff, Patty García, then launched her campaign for his House seat on Wednesday, signaling a shift in the political landscape. This unusual scenario has sparked both internal and external reactions, with no immediate response from García’s office following the announcement.