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Mayra Macías Announces Independent Run to Challenge Chuy García’s Handpicked Successor

Mayra Macías, a lifelong Democrat and Chicago native, announced an independent bid for Illinois’ 4th Congressional District and says she would caucus with House Democrats. Her campaign challenges the candidate who became the sole Democratic filer after Rep. Jesús “Chuy” García’s surprise retirement following the primary filing deadline. Macías emphasizes affordability, education, health care and housing, highlights her working-class roots and leadership in Latino advocacy organizations, and criticizes the timing of García’s retirement as undemocratic.

08:17 PM, 12/03/2025Politics
Mayra Macías Announces Independent Run to Challenge Chuy García’s Handpicked Successor

Mayra Macías, a lifelong Democrat and Chicago native with a record in Latino advocacy and Democratic organizations, announced she will run as an independent for Illinois’ 4th Congressional District. Macías says that if elected she would caucus with House Democrats and seeks to challenge the candidate handpicked after Rep. Jesús “Chuy” García’s surprise retirement.

Controversial succession

García’s unexpected decision to retire in early November drew criticism from some local Democrats after the announcement came after the primary filing deadline. Reports say the congressman’s plans were known mainly to his chief of staff, Patty Garcia (no relation), who was the only Democrat to submit the required signatures by the March primary deadline. That left an opening for independent candidates — signatures for independents are not due until May.

Macías’ background and priorities

Macías has worked on Latino advocacy and in groups supporting Democratic policy priorities. She served as executive director of Building Back Together, an organization formed to help implement President Biden’s agenda, and previously led the Latino Victory Project. She returned to the Chicago area after the 2024 election and now lives in the Scottsdale neighborhood at the southern tip of the 4th District; she said she frequently travels into the city because her family remains there.

“I’ve really focused my whole career on building and serving and making sure that we’re fighting for quality education, health care and affordable housing,”
“Under the Trump administration, we’re seeing a lot of this progress rolled back.”

Macías says affordability is the top issue she hears from residents. “People are working hard, and things are getting more expensive… I hear a lot about people feeling frustrated that their hard work isn’t enough to put food on the table,” she said, adding concern about what she described as the weaponization of federal resources against community members.

Personal story

Macías described her working-class roots: her father worked as a city trash collector and her mother is a home health care worker. She grew up in the Back of the Yards neighborhood and recounted how violence affected her family, once finding a bullet hole in their kitchen window. She says those neighborhood challenges persist today, including recent enforcement actions that have alarmed residents.

Potential field

Chicago Alderman Byron Sigcho-Lopez has also formed an exploratory committee to consider an independent run, leaving the race open as multiple candidates weigh whether to enter before the May signature deadline for independents.

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