Nov 17, 2025 - Politics & Policy

House Dems fail to stop internal revolt on condemning Chuy García

Andrew Solender

Rep. Chuy García, wearing a gray blazer over a blue polo shirt while speaking at a lectern in front of a wooden wall. — Rep. Chuy Garcia speaks at a press conference with Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker in Chicago, Ill., on Oct. 6. Photo: Scott Olson/Getty Images

House Democrats failed Monday to stop several of their members from voting to advance a motion denouncing Rep. Chuy García (D-Ill.) for effectively ensuring his chief of staff will replace him in Congress.

Why it matters: The motion will likely pass when it comes up for a vote on Tuesday, highlighting Democrats' internal divisions at a moment when they had hoped to be united around releasing the Epstein files.

Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (D-Wash.) angered some of her Democratic colleagues by unexpectedly triggering the vote last week.
García's office sent out talking points to colleagues arguing the motion "creates distraction and divisiveness among Democrats" and is a "ploy that our opponents will use for their own gain."

The details: The two-page resolution expresses disapproval towards García for announcing his retirement after Illinois' filing deadline, allowing his chief of staff, Patty Garcia, to be the only candidate on the primary ballot.

"Representative García's actions are beneath the dignity of his office and incompatible with the spirit of the United States Constitution," the measure says.
García has said he planned to run for reelection until 11th-hour pleas by his wife and doctor urging him to retire for health and family reasons convinced him to reverse course.

Editor's note: This story has been corrected to say that Garcia announced his retirement after Illinois' ballot filing deadline (not before).

Add Axios on Google

House Dems fail to stop internal revolt on condemning Chuy García

What to read next