The House voted Tuesday to formally rebuke Rep. Jesús “Chuy” García over the timing of his retirement announcement, backing a resolution from Democratic Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez and exposing a nasty split inside the party. The measure passed 236-183-4, with 23 Democrats breaking ranks.
The resolution accuses García of “undermining the process of a fair and free election” and says his move was “incompatible with the spirit” of the Constitution. Supporters framed it as a basic issue of voter rights.
“Voters decide elections, not politicians,” Rep. Greg Landsman of Ohio wrote on X. “We are the voting rights, voter protection, voter empowerment party, and there should never be an exception to that.”
But several Democrats blasted the vote as a pointless spectacle aimed at humiliating a veteran progressive.
“Chuy García is a legend and an icon in his community. His progressive record is unmatched here. … I will not question his progressive credentials. You know, he faced a situation, a personal situation. He acted within the framework of the law,” said Rep. Adriano Espaillat of New York.
García, 69, filed for reelection on Oct. 27 before abruptly reversing course. He later said he would retire to focus on his family, noting his wife was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis more than a decade ago. The announcement came after the Nov. 3 filing deadline, leaving his chief of staff, Patty García — no relation — as the sole Democrat on the primary ballot. She submitted her paperwork just before the 5 p.m. cutoff.
Chuy García endorsed her, saying she “knows the issues, knows the players in Washington, and has the talent and heart to deliver real results for working families.”
Gluesenkamp Perez said on the House floor that she respects García and believes his “reasons for retiring are noble.” She argued that the timing still crossed a line.
“You don’t get your cake and eat it, too. If you’re not going to run, you don’t get to choose your successor, no matter how noble the work you have done beforehand,” she said.
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“Which is exactly what several candidates did, one of whom filed as a Republican and the other with the Working Class Party. Anyone willing to file as a Democrat could have filed petitions before his announcement,” the statement said.
Democratic leaders tried to shut down the resolution but failed.
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries ripped the push as political theater, dismissing the uproar over García’s timing.
“I do not support this so-called resolution of disapproval. And I strongly support Congressman Chuy García,” Jeffries said. “He’s been a progressive champion in disenfranchised communities for decades — including during his time in Congress — and he’s made life better for the American people.”
