A former congressional chief of staff, a suburban mayor, a teacher and a 43-year resident of the 4th Congressional District are all vying for the seat left vacant by U.S. Rep. Jesus “Chuy” Garcia’s retirement.
So what?
García’s last-minute ballot switch — helping his then-chief of staff Patty García get enough petitions to take his spot on the Democratic ballot — has nabbed a lot of attention about the race. Chuy García’s move was widely panned as a maneuver that critics called a coronation and a Chicago machine play. The congressman filed petitions with the Illinois State Board of Elections to run for his 4th Congressional District seat on Oct. 27, but his chief of staff filed petitions just ahead of 5 p.m. Nov. 3, the deadline for filing. Chuy García later pulled his petitions. He was also reprimanded on the House floor.
Patty García, no relation to the congressman, is trying to move forward into the general election and is building major Democratic support, both in Illinois and in Washington. Lyons Mayor Christopher Getty is running as the lone independent candidate, after two candidates — Ald. Byron Sigcho-Lopez (25th) and Mayra Macias failed to submit the required number of signatures. Lupe Castillo is the Republican candidate. Ed Hershey, a teacher, is the Working Class Party candidate.
What does a U.S. representative do?
Representatives vote on federal laws, advocate for their districts and work to secure federal funding and other resources for constituents. They serve two-year terms.
Who are the candidates?
Patty Garcia, who has a Ph.D. in education policy, worked in Chuy Garcia’s office since 2019. She resigned as his chief of staff in November 2025. She has vowed to continue his work fighting for immigrant and working-class families in the Southwest Side district that stretches to the western suburbs.
Chris Getty has served as mayor of Lyons since 2009 and is the town supervisor Lyons Township. He’s also a licensed insurance producer. Getty says his priorities include improving the cost of living, immigration and public safety and government accountability.
Lupe Castillo says she’s running on a platform of “pro-family values and policies.” She says she’s the only candidate that “will protect women’s sports and girl’s bathrooms,” and who would support law enforcement over criminals. She’s also supportive of voter ID and school choice. She has lived in the district for 43 years.
Ed Hershey has been teaching at Lindblom Math and Science Academy in West Englewood for 16 years and says his work in schools has shown him how a lack of resources can affect students. He’s also served as a union representative and ran for alderman of the 25th Ward in 2015.