Chicago City Wire

Chuy García, a longtime congressman from Chicago, announced he would not seek reelection just after the filing deadline for candidates had passed. This timing meant that no other contenders could enter the race. His chief of staff, who also has the last name García but is reportedly unrelated, had already filed petitions and is now the only Democrat on the ballot for his seat. In Chicago's political landscape, this essentially guarantees her election.

Critics argue that this move exemplifies how political power in Chicago can be inherited rather than earned through open competition. "If that’s not a political inheritance, what is?" the article asks.

The piece further claims that such succession tactics are part of a broader pattern in local politics, citing examples like Alderman Walter Burnett Jr., whose son succeeded him in office. The article asserts: "It’s monarchy by machine."

Concerns are raised about crime and governance in Chicago. The article notes that nearly 90 percent of murder victims in the city are Black or Latino and criticizes local leaders for focusing more on image than public safety: "Mayor Brandon Johnson ('Mayor Six Percent,' because that’s all the city approves of him) preaches defund-the-police theology while surrounding himself with 150 armed guards." Governor J.B. Pritzker is also criticized for declining National Guard assistance as gang violence persists.

The article concludes by calling for increased political competition to challenge what it describes as one-party rule in Chicago: "If we want to end the rot, we need competition. We need a second party — any party — with money, message, and muscle enough to challenge the Democrat monopoly."

According to the author, these recent events reflect systemic issues within Chicago politics rather than isolated incidents: "Chuy García’s little stunt isn’t an anomaly; it’s the system working exactly as designed."