You likely already know that U.S. Rep. Jesus “Chuy” Garcia, D-Chicago, dropped out of his reelection race in a way that essentially handed his seat to his top aide.

García said his doctor advised him not to run again because of his heart condition, as did his spouse, who has multiple sclerosis that didn’t respond to her most recent treatment. And he and his wife had just adopted a grandchild after the death of his daughter. Amid all that, García said he decided the Friday before the Monday petition filing deadline to drop out. And he decided the same day to back his chief of staff, Patty Garcia, to replace him on the ballot.

The literally last-minute petition filing meant that people who would’ve run if García had announced his intent earlier were shut out of the race.

Some people don’t

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