Rep. Jesús ‘Chuy’ García, a Democratic congressman from Illinois, has reportedly decided not to seek re-election, leaving multiple open congressional seats in the state ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. García, who was first elected to Congress in 2018, represents parts of the southwest side of Chicago, a region with significant Democratic support.
The decision by García, a longtime progressive, to step down from the race follows a last-minute maneuver by his chief of staff, Patty Garcia, who filed petitions to replace him just ahead of the filing deadline. According to reports, García had initially submitted his re-election petitions on October 27, but his team opted to replace him in the race, a move that has drawn criticism from local leaders and organizations.
Chicago Alderman Raymond Lopez, a former challenger to García, criticized the move, calling it a ‘machine’s decision’ and noting that it undermines the party’s image as ‘No Kings,’ a reference to the anti-Trump protests. The Urban Center, a centrist nonprofit in Chicago, also condemned the maneuver, calling it a ‘classic machine move’ that denies voters a say in their representation.
García’s decision leaves Illinois with five open congressional seats and an open Senate race ahead of the March primary elections. This follows the departure of Senator Dick Durbin, who announced his retirement from the Senate in 2024, further complicating the state’s political landscape. Additionally, Illinois Democrats are considering redistricting plans, though they have not yet moved forward with the proposal, as noted in recent reports.
Fox News Digital reached out to García’s office for comment, but no response has been provided as of this report. The situation underscores the ongoing shifts in Illinois politics, with the Democratic Party facing significant challenges in maintaining its congressional representation in the upcoming elections.