The congressional race for the seat left vacant by U.S. Rep. Jesus “Chuy” García’s surprise last-minute resignation has seen its fair share of drama.

It began with outcries over the congressman’s ballot switcheroo — with Chuy García’s then-chief of staff Patty García quickly gathering signatures to run. Then independent candidates Ald. Byron Sigcho-Lopez and Mayra Macías lobbed anti-democratic allegations after being tossed from the ballot for failing to submit the minimum number of valid petition signatures required to run as independents.

Now, as the dust settles before the Nov. 3 election, just four candidates remain: Patty García, Lyons Mayor Chris Getty, who’s running as an independent, Republican candidate Lupe Castillo and Working Class Party candidate Ed Hershey.

Moving past the primary

Patty García has been running full force since the primary, including racking up more than 175 endorsements from Democrats, including U.S. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, Lt. Gov Juliana Stratton and Rep. Delia Ramirez. She’s also backed by the Illinois AFL-CIO, Chicago Federation of Labor and SEIU Illinois State Council. She says she’s focusing on immigration and affordability, with many people in the district still fearful of ICE enforcement and reluctant to apply for citizenship. She said she’s surpassed more than $420,000 in fundraising. García had about $185,000 cash on hand at the end of June, according to the latest report filed with the Federal Election Commission.

She’s consistently said that voters aren’t focusing on the “process” in which she got on the ballot. In announcing her run in November, she also defended it, saying any other Democrat could have jumped into the race before Rep. García opted out.

She’s also trying to gain the support of voters who planned to support either Sigcho-Lopez or Macías.

“We’ve been trying to ensure that we’re connecting with people that may have supported them to ensure that we can bring them on and have a bigger picture here, a bigger tent, and making sure that we’re convening all groups,” Patty García said. “We’re trying to make sure that they know that we’re the best candidate, and that yes, they have a choice.”

With Patty García expected to get support from Chicago area Democrats in the district, she said she’s not concerned about Getty’s support in the district’s suburbs. The 4th district covers parts of the Southwest and Northwest sides of Chicago, as well as western suburbs like Lyons, La Grange and Riverside.

“No concern on my end,” Patty García said. “I will say that the majority of the mayors and the suburban leaders are with me. They know me, and they’ve worked with me. They trust me and I’ve been able to work with them as a chief of staff or district director.”

Support beyond Chicago

Getty, who has served as mayor of Lyons since 2009, said he’s confident he can go head to head with Patty García’s campaign as the lone independent candidate.

“Our confidence level is very high, and that comes from one-on-one conversations on the ground with voters who want and desire an independent,” Getty said. “The number one question I get is, ‘Democrat or Republican?’ And I proudly say independent and everybody’s response by and large is, ‘I love that.’”

Getty said he’s focusing on uniting voters and letting them know he’s not running on a partisan divide. He’s hearing voters’ concerns over the cost of living and said members of Congress must find a way to provide relief.

“They’re not going to have a silver bullet to address cost of living, but I think we as elected representatives have to do whatever we can to assess every single vote,” Getty said. “How is this going to affect working families? Is it going to make it harder? Is it going to make it easier for everyday life?”

He said he’s not just banking on support from the suburbs.

“One would think, ‘Hey Chris, don’t spend your time over there. Just stay in the suburbs,’” Getty said. “No, we’re going everywhere and the reception is exceptionally positive.”

Other options for voters

Ed Hershey has been teaching at Lindblom Math and Science Academy in West Englewood for 16 years and says his work in schools has shown him how a lack of resources can affect students. He’s also served as a union representative and ran for alderman of the 25th Ward in 2015.

“By running, I can give voice to that idea that we, working people, need to press for our own interests,” Hershey has said of his campaign.

Castillo, a Republican, says she’s running on a platform of “pro-family values and policies.” She says she’s the only candidate that “will protect women’s sports and girl’s bathrooms,” and who would support law enforcement over criminals. She’s also supportive of voter ID and school choice.