Two Democrats Press Ahead With Condemning Chuy Garcia Over Hakeem Jeffries’ Fierce Objection

The House of Representatives rejected a motion from House Democratic leadership to table a resolution condemning Democratic Illinois Rep. Chuy García for “election subversion” on Monday evening.

Lawmakers voted 211 to 206 against tabling a resolution from Democratic Washington Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez to denounce her Democratic colleague for effectively hand-picking his successor. House Democratic leadership’s attempt to quash the resolution marks a high-profile example of Democratic infighting over calling out controversial behavior from lawmakers in their ranks.

Democratic Maine Rep. Jared Golden was the lone House Democrat to join Gluesenkamp Perez in rejecting Democratic leadership’s attempt to tank the measure. Golden, a moderate Democrat who frequently crosses party lines, is not seeking reelection.

García announced his retirement in early November after the filing deadline had passed, citing his wife’s worsening health issues and wanting to spend more time with his grandchildren.

His chief of staff, Patty Garcia — who has no relation to the congressman — declared her candidacy hours before the filing deadline closed, making her the automatic Democratic candidate in the primary contest to succeed him.

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries announced his opposition to the resolution Monday, arguing that García has been a “progressive champion” for decades. The lead Democrat did not directly comment on whether he approved of García’s retirement gambit.

“I strongly support Congressman Chuy Garcia,” Jeffries said.

Gluesenkamp Perez, the resolution’s sponsor, argued that Democrats have a responsibility to denounce Garcia for effectively denying voters an alternative to his hand-picked successor.