Patty Garcia was the preferred successor to the retiring congressman, who dropped his reelection bid, paving the way for her to lead the majority-Latino district.

There has been no shortage of controversy in the 4th Congressional District, where U.S. Rep. Jesus “Chuy” García’s last-minute decision to drop out of the primary race led him to helping his chief of staff quickly take his spot on the primary ballot. Since then, Patty García — no relation to the congressman — fended…