Garcia and Castillo Will Face Off for 4th District

Candidates will compete in November 2026 for the Illinois congressional seat held by retiring representative Jesus Garcia.

Updated on Oct. 14, 2026 in Elections

Garcia and Castillo Will Face Off for 4th District

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Following the withdrawal of U.S. Representative Jesus Garcia due to family health issues, voters in Illinois' 4th Congressional District will head to the polls in November 2026. The race features Democratic candidate Patty Garcia, Republican candidate Lupe Castillo, and independent candidate Chris Getty.

Why it matters

The seat has been held by Jesus Garcia since 2019, making his departure a significant shift for the district spanning parts of Chicago and its southwest suburbs. The winner will determine the district's representation during the upcoming legislative term.

The 4th Congressional District seat is currently open after Jesus Garcia withdrew at the filing deadline. The general election is scheduled for November 2026, featuring candidates from the Democratic, Republican, Working Class, and independent parties.

The players

Jesus Garcia

He served as the U.S. Representative for Illinois' 4th Congressional District starting in 2019 before withdrawing from his reelection bid.

Patty Garcia

She is the Democratic candidate for the district seat and previously worked as the chief of staff for the incumbent representative.

Lupe Castillo

He is the Republican candidate campaigning to represent the constituents of the 4th Congressional District.

Chris Getty

He is running as an independent candidate for the vacant congressional position.

Ed Hershey

He is the candidate representing the Working Class Party in the upcoming November election.

The details

Patty Garcia, who served as chief of staff to the retiring representative, secured her candidacy within 24 hours of the withdrawal. The race also includes Working Class Party candidate Ed Hershey, with the district encompassing key areas like Little Village, Bridgeport, and surrounding southwest suburbs.

Jesus Garcia began representing the district in 2019.
The Democratic primary election occurred in March 2026.
The general election for the congressional seat will occur in November 2026.

Political Context

Opponents and dissenting advocates may criticize the specific policy platforms proposed by candidates in this race, particularly regarding federal agency restructuring. The push for the abolition of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement serves as a focal point for debate between the competing party platforms.

Residents of the 4th Congressional District will see changes in their legislative representation following the November 2026 vote. This election will determine which candidate sets the policy agenda for local issues impacting the southwest side of Chicago and surrounding suburbs.

The takeaway

Voters in the 4th District face a choice between candidates with vastly different party affiliations and policy priorities. Residents should review candidate platforms before the November 2026 general election to understand how these positions align with local community needs.