Overview
- Macías, a lifelong Democrat and Chicago native, announced Wednesday she will run as an independent for the seat Rep. Jesús “Chuy” García is vacating.
- She said she would caucus with House Democrats if elected and framed her run as giving voters a choice after the primary field was effectively closed.
- García’s chief of staff, Patty Garcia, is the lone Democrat on the March ballot after the congressman withdrew following the filing deadline.
- Illinois allows independents to qualify later, with signatures due in May, and Chicago Alderman Byron Sigcho-Lopez has opened a committee to explore an independent run.
- Other declared general-election candidates include Republican Lupe Castillo and Working Class Party candidate Ed Hershey, and García drew a House rebuke in November over the maneuver.