Overview
- The House approved a resolution of disapproval 236-183, with 23 Democrats joining Republicans to publicly rebuke García in a symbolic vote.
- The measure targets García’s post-deadline retirement announcement that left his chief of staff, Patty García, as the only Democrat on the primary ballot in deep-blue Illinois’ 4th District.
- Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez led the effort using privileged procedures, and a motion to table the resolution failed 206-211 the night before despite opposition from Democratic leaders.
- García’s office says he followed Illinois law and cites health and family reasons for the timing, including his wife’s worsening multiple sclerosis and new caregiving responsibilities.
- Patty García remains the apparent Democratic primary candidate in a district where the primary is typically decisive, and the rebuke does not change the ballot landscape.