CHICAGO - U.S. Rep. Jesus "Chuy" Garcia is defending his last-minute decision not to run for another term in Congress .

Critics focused on the way Garcia chose to bow out of the race as reports of his change of heart came right as time expired on Monday evening for anyone else interested in running to file nominating petitions.

What we know:

The move led many critics to claim Garcia deprives the residents of his largely Latino 4th Congressional District of a true choice in the 2026 Democratic primary race. The district includes much of Chicago’s Southwest Side and the near western suburbs.

Garcia had initially announced his intention to run for a fourth term, but instead, his chief of staff, Patty Garcia, was able to circulate and file her nominating petitions in his place before

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