In a rare move, a Democratic member called on the U.S. House of Representatives to disapprove of the behavior of a fellow Democrat, Illinois U.S. Rep. Jesus “Chuy” Garcia.
“Rep. Garcia’s actions are beneath the dignity of his office and incompatible with the spirit of the Constitution,” said U.S. Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (D-Washington) on the House floor Wednesday evening.
Gluesenkamp Perez offered a privileged resolution that would express the House’s disapproval of Garcia for filing his nominating petitions to run for re-election, then, days later — after the filing deadline — announcing he would not seek re-election, once his chief of staff had submitted her own paperwork.
Garcia’s actions effectively guaranteed that his chief of staff, Patty Garcia, would be the only Democrat to run in the primary. Chuy Garcia and Patty Garcia are not related.
Other Democrats have since said they might have run for Chuy Garcia’s Congressional seat if they knew he wasn’t seeking re-election.
NBC 5 Chicago obtained a copy of Patty Garcia’s nominating petitions. The first page of petitions included signatures from Chuy Garcia and six other elected officials: Cook County Board Commissioner Alma Anaya, State Sen. Celina Villanueva, State Rep. Aarón Ortíz, Chicago Alderwoman Jeylú Gutiérrez, Chicago Alderman Michael Rodriguez and Illinois State Rep. Norma Hernandez. The first page also included signatures from two members of the Chicago Board of Education: Yesenia Lopez and Rodolfo Lozano, Jr.
On the House floor, Gluesenkamp Perez said Chuy Garcia’s actions were “undermining the process of a free and fair election.”
“Be it resolved that the House of Representatives disapproves of the behavior of the representative from Illinois, Mr. Garcia,” she said.
A spokesperson for Chuy Garcia released a statement saying in part:
“Congressman Garcia made a deeply personal decision based on his health, his wife’s worsening condition and his responsibility to the grandchildren he is raising after the death of his daughter. He followed every rule and every filing requirement laid out by the State of Illinois.”
U.S. Rep. Jonathan Jackson, a Democrat from Illinois, posted on X that he was “extremely disappointed” by the “lack of decorum” from Gluesenkamp Perez. Jackson said he attempted to defend Chuy Garcia on the House floor, but his microphone was cut.
“Some people need to learn how to stay in their own lane,” Jackson wrote on X.
However, New Jersey Sen. Andy Kim posted on social media that he is supportive of Gluesenkamp Perez’s resolution.
“Standing against corruption means standing up no matter which political party violates. The House should condemn and steps need to be taken to restore the people’s right to choose,” he said in a post on X.
Gluesenkamp Perez’s resolution is privileged, meaning the speaker must schedule a vote on it within two legislative days. Because the House left Wednesday night, she will likely have to offer the resolution again next week. Immediately after she spoke, the Democratic Whip Katherine Clark (D-MA) went over to speak with her.
After the resolution was introduced, Chuy Garcia’s spokesperson expressed a desire for the Congressman’s colleagues to show compassion to his family.
“At a moment like this, he hopes his colleagues, especially those who speak about family values, can show the same compassion and respect that any family would want during a health crisis. Congressman Garcia remains committed to finishing his term with dignity and continuing his lifelong fight for working families,” the spokesperson said.
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