Dem rep says on Election Day he won't run again, setting up chief of staff to replace him

Rep. Jesús "Chuy" Garcia, 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. 

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." 

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. Garcia, 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.

"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.

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.

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.