Patty Garcia, U.S. Rep. Jesus “Chuy” Garcia’s chief of staff, is being thrust into the spotlight.

The Democratic congressman surprised many this week by deciding not to seek reelection next year — and quickly shifted his political organization’s resources to helping Patty Garcia, 40, take his place. In interviews, Chuy Garcia has said he made the decision not to run last week, leaving his team to collect 2,500 signatures for his chief of staff ahead over the weekend, ahead of Monday’s 5 p.m. deadline with the Illinois State Board of Elections.

Patty Garcia plans on kicking off her congressional campaign, alongside friends and supporters, next week. And while she’s respected by her peers and in the Latino community, she will have to address criticism over the last-minute maneuver that led

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