Four Candidates Compete for Illinois’ 4th District Seat
On November 2, voters in Illinois’ 4th Congressional District are choosing who will replace Rep. Jesus “Chuy” García when he leaves Congress. Four candidates are on the ballot: Democrat Patty Garcia, Republican Lupe Castillo, independent Chris Getty and Working Class Party candidate Ed Hershey.
Chuy García had filed to run for another term, then withdrew at the last minute, citing family health issues. Patty Garcia, who has no family relationship with him and had been his chief of staff, was left as the only candidate in the Democratic primary in March.
The timing of his withdrawal became a central dispute in the contest, with some critics describing it as a bait-and-switch. Both Patty Garcia and Castillo criticized the decision. Castillo said it raised questions about García’s trustworthiness; Patty Garcia said the change left her with a difficult decision as she moved from chief of staff to candidate.
Getty, the mayor of Lyons, is running as an independent, while Hershey, a high school science teacher, is the Working Class Party candidate. The race is taking place in a district drawn after federal courts ordered Illinois to create a district with a Hispanic majority in the Chicago area. The four candidates are competing for the seat on Election Day.
Democratic Candidate Faces Voters After García’s Late Exit
On November 2, voters in Illinois’ 4th Congressional District decide who will replace Rep. Jesus “Chuy” García. Democrat Patty Garcia, Republican Lupe Castillo, independent Chris Getty and Working Class Party candidate Ed Hershey are on the ballot.
Patty Garcia enters the race after a turbulent transition. Chuy García initially filed to run again, then withdrew at the last minute, citing family health issues. Patty Garcia, who has no family relationship with him and had served as his chief of staff, was the only candidate in the Democratic primary in March.
The congressman’s late move drew criticism and became a major issue in the campaign. Patty Garcia herself said the transition from chief of staff to candidate left her with a difficult decision. Castillo also attacked García’s decision, saying it showed he was not trustworthy.
The choice now belongs to voters. Getty, mayor of Lyons, and Hershey, a high school science teacher, are also competing for the seat. The district was created after federal courts ordered Illinois to draw a district with a Hispanic majority in the Chicago area.
García’s Last-Minute Exit Haunts Illinois House Race
On November 2, voters in Illinois’ 4th Congressional District choose among Democrat Patty Garcia, Republican Lupe Castillo, independent Chris Getty and Working Class Party candidate Ed Hershey to replace Rep. Jesus “Chuy” García.
The central question in the race is the congressman’s last-minute withdrawal. He had filed to seek another term, then stepped aside, citing family health issues. Patty Garcia, his former chief of staff and not a relative, became the sole Democratic primary candidate in March.
The move brought criticism from both candidates now seeking the seat. Castillo said García’s decision showed he could not be trusted. Patty Garcia acknowledged that shifting from chief of staff to candidate left her facing a difficult choice. Some critics called the withdrawal a bait-and-switch, and it became a focal point of the contest.
Now voters must weigh that dispute as well as the four-way field. Getty is the mayor of Lyons, and Hershey teaches high school science. The district was drawn after federal courts directed Illinois to create a district with a Hispanic majority in the Chicago area.
Reported by FOX 32 Chicago, CBS Chicago, Block Club Chicago.
