Patty García Vies for Illinois 4th District Seat
Democrat Patty García leads a four-candidate field for the Illinois 4th Congressional District after Rep. Jesús 'Chuy' García exited the race.
Updated on Nov. 3, 2026 in Elections
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Patty García is the Democratic candidate for the Illinois 4th Congressional District seat vacated by Rep. Jesús 'Chuy' García, who dropped out of the primary at the last minute. Three other candidates are on the ballot: independent Christopher Getty, Republican Lupe Castillo, and Working Class Party candidate Ed Hershey.
Why it matters
The seat's contest reshapes a district that had been tied to a sitting incumbent, with García's chief of staff taking his place on the primary ballot. Two independent candidates were knocked off the ballot in petition challenges, narrowing the field for voters in the district.
Patty García has received more than 175 Democratic endorsements, including backing from the Illinois AFL-CIO, Chicago Federation of Labor, and SEIU Illinois State Council. Two independent candidates failed to survive petition challenges before the Illinois State Board of Elections, and the source does not specify the number of signatures involved.
The players
Patty García
Democratic candidate for Illinois's 4th Congressional District, who is no relation to Rep. Jesús 'Chuy' García.
Jesús 'Chuy' García
Longtime Illinois congressman whose exit from the primary race opened the seat to new candidates.
Christopher Getty
Independent candidate and the lone independent in the race, who is the mayor of Lyons.
Lupe Castillo
Republican candidate for the Illinois 4th Congressional District seat.
Ed Hershey
Working Class Party candidate for the Illinois 4th Congressional District seat.
The details
Rep. Jesús 'Chuy' García dropped out of the primary race at the last minute and attributed the switch to family and health reasons, with his chief of staff taking his place on the ballot. Early voting kicked off in Little Village with García and Christian Mitchell, while Christopher Getty criticized the decision in an op-ed in the Chicago Tribune.
Timeline
November 2025: Christopher Getty wrote an op-ed in the Chicago Tribune criticizing García's decision not to run.
November 3, 2026: Early voting was underway in Little Village.
Political Context
Christopher Getty's op-ed criticized the decision not to run, and his independent candidacy highlights the petition-challenge hurdles that two independent candidates failed to clear before the Illinois State Board of Elections. Those objections signal how ballot-access rules can shape which voices reach the November contest.
Voters in the Illinois 4th Congressional District will choose among four candidates, and early voting is already underway in Little Village. Residents can cast ballots early at local sites before the November election date.
The takeaway
The race shows how a single late withdrawal can reshape a congressional contest, so voters should compare candidates' endorsements and ballot status before casting a ballot.
Further reading
Explore more coverage in Elections for the candidate field and ballot-access rules shaping this race.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Chicago Sun-Times.
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