The House rebuked Rep. Jesús “Chuy” García (D-IL) on Tuesday for effectively setting up his chief of staff to succeed him by announcing his retirement plans after the filing deadline.
The resolution of disapproval over García’s actions passed the House 236-183, with 23 Democrats voting yes, while three more voted present. The condemnation of the Illinois Democrat marks a rare intraparty feud, as a fellow Democrat, Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (D-WA), introduced the measure against García.
Gluesenkamp Perez’s measure came after García filed for reelection on Oct. 27 but then decided to retire on Nov. 7. His chief of staff, Patty García, filed for the race on Nov. 3, just prior to the state board’s deadline, raising speculation that Chuy García gave her a heads-up to file for candidacy to become the only Democratic candidate in a D+17 seat.
The Washington Examiner reached out to Chuy García for comment.
Gluesenkamp Perez had said the Illinois Democrat’s decision to “anoint an heir is fundamentally undemocratic” in a statement on Nov. 12 to explain why she filed the motion.
“This is the kind of thing that makes folks tune out of electoral politics,” Gluesenkamp Perez said. “And frankly, who’d blame them? If we fail to hold our colleagues accountable for the subversion of elections, we own the consequences.”
“Americans bled and died to secure the right to elect their leaders,” the congresswoman continued. “We can expect to be taken seriously in the fight for free and fair elections if we turn a blind eye to election denial on our side of the aisle.”
In a video address confirming his retirement, Chuy García said he made the decision for his family, citing his own health, as well as his wife Evelyn’s, who has multiple sclerosis. He and his wife also recently adopted their grandchildren following the death of their daughter in 2023.
“So I asked myself, how do I preach about family values and not live them?” he said in the address. “That’s why I made this decision. I’m not stepping away from our movement. I’m stepping back for my family, and I will finish my term. I will keep fighting for immigrants, for working families, for justice, just from home where I need to be right now, and yes, part of staying in the fight is lifting up the next generation. I have faith in the leaders who come from our neighborhoods, our unions, our struggles.”
House Democratic leadership tried to whip the conference to vote no on the resolution, with Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY), Democratic Whip Katherine Clark (D-MA), and Democratic Caucus Chairman Pete Aguilar (D-CA) saying in a statement on Tuesday morning that Chuy García is a “progressive champion.”
”He is a good man who has always prioritized the people he represents, even while experiencing unthinkable family tragedy,” they wrote. “We unequivocally oppose this misguided resolution and urge our colleagues in the House Democratic Caucus to reject it.”
House Democratic leadership had previously tried to table Gluesenkamp Perez’s motion entirely on Monday, but failed to do so with two Democrats joining all Republicans in voting against tabling: Gluesenkamp Perez and Rep. Jared Golden (D-ME), a fellow centrist who often sidesteps leaders on contentious legislation. Ten Republicans and six Democrats did not vote.
García’s office circulated talking points about his decision to retire earlier this week, according to reports. In the talking points, his office said the motion “creates distraction and divisiveness among Democrats” and was a “ploy that our opponents will use for their own gain.”
THUNE TEASES QUICK SENATE PASSAGE OF EPSTEIN RESOLUTION AFTER HOUSE VOTE
The memo also argued that the congressman followed “all requirements and deadlines” under Illinois law and “the ballot was open to everyone.”
“We deeply appreciate your boss’ support and welcome their participation in floor debate about this inappropriate response that weaponizes Congressman Garcia’s personal decision in order to score political points,” García’s office previously said in a statement.
