Rep. Jesus "Chuy" García (D-IL), a prominent progressive lawmaker from the Chicago area, triggered a firestorm of controversy when he announced his retirement at precisely the filing deadline to run for his district, a move that meant the only candidate who declared for the Democratic primary was his own chief of staff, Patty Garcia.
The congressman, who has said he is retiring due to health concerns and his adoption of a grandchild after the death of his daughter, has faced accusations that he effectively rigged the primary to hand-pick his successor, but denies the accusation. However, paperwork obtained by Politico seems to provide evidence that he was fully aware of and supported the effort by his chief of staff to get on the ballot immediately before his retirement.
"A petition signature page submitted by Patty Garcia to the Illinois Board of Elections shows the representative and his closest allies, whom Chuy García has also helped get elected over the years, signed their names. They include Cook County Commissioner Alma Anaya, Illinois state Sen. Celina Villanueva, state Reps. Aaron Ortiz and Norma Hernandez, and Chicago City Council members Jeylú Gutiérrez and Michael Rodriguez," reported Shia Kapos and Nicholas Wu. "The form is dated Nov. 1, two days before the filing deadline and three days before Chuy García formally announced his retirement."
A spokesperson for the congressman has said this paperwork doesn't prove he manipulated the primary, and that "he did not circulate petitions" for his chief of staff, even though he signed one.
On Tuesday, the House passed a resolution, filed by Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (D-WA), reprimanding García's interference in the primary to succeed him.
This came despite the objections of both Illinois Democrats and House leadership, who are broadly standing behind García's decision.