War heats up between Lipinski and challenger Newman
Congressman Dan Lipinski is facing a stiff challenge from popular newcomer Marie Newman in the March 20, 2018 Democratic primary for the 3rd Congressional District. Both candidates released lists of endorsements on Wednesday with Lipinski receiving support from 30 mayors in the district and Newman receiving the endorsement of two prominent Democratic members of the U.S. House, Congressman Luis Gutierrez and Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky.
To give you a perspective on the 3rd Congressional District: In the March 2016 presidential primary, in the third district, Sen. Bernie Sanders, the Vermont Independent, beat former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. Clinton went on to defeat President Donald Trump in the district.
Lipinski was appointed to the seat by his father, the former 3rd District Congressman William O. Lipinski, who served previously as a member of the Chicago City Council representing the 23rd Ward. His Dan Lipinski had no prior public office before his appointment in 2005.
The third congressional district is mainly Southwest Suburban turf with a corridor connecting it to Southwest Side territory in Chicago represented by Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan, the chairman of the Democratic Party of Illinois. Madigan has always protected Lipinski, the son of his ally, former Rep. William Lipinski D-Ill.
Here’s an overview of Lipinski’s endorsements and Newsman’s endorsements:
Lipinski released this press release on Wednesday:
Thirty Mayors from the Third District Endorse Rep. Lipinski
Congressman Dan Lipinski (D-IL) today announced endorsements from 30 mayors and village presidents who represent communities in the Third Congressional District, including La Grange Village President Tom Livingston.
“From his seat on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, Dan Lipinski has played a key role at both the federal and local level in providing parking critical to our downtown revitalization, helping us mitigate flooding, and making rehabilitation of our iconic Stone Avenue station possible with $700,000 in federal money,” Livingston said. “I’m proud to support Dan because he’s delivered for our community.”
In endorsing Lipinski, these elected officials cited the Congressman’s care for his constituents, accessibility, success leveraging resources and support for local communities, and constituent services.
“I am honored by the overwhelming support of 30 mayors and village presidents from the Third Congressional District who back my reelection to Congress,” Lipinski said. “My belief in working to bring people together to solve problems for my constituents encompasses all levels of government. I cooperate closely with local officials because they understand the needs of their communities; in my capacity as a Representative I have been very happy to help them build better places for residents to live, work, and raise their families.”
Endorsement statements and a list of mayors and village presidents who endorsed Congressman Lipinski follows.
Endorsement Statements from Third District Mayors and Village Managers
Palos Hills – Mayor Jerry Bennett
“As President of the Southwest Conference of Mayors for the past 35 years, I know how important it is to have a Representative who works closely with local elected officials and helps them to take care of their communities. Dan Lipinski has done just that, working with mayors and other officials to make our communities even better places to live and work.”
Oak Lawn – Village President Sandra Bury
“Congressman Lipinski is an accessible and highly visible representative who listens to our community’s needs and produces results. He has had a real tangible impact in making Oak Lawn an even better place to live, work, and shop by bringing us weekend Metra service, getting a train horn quiet zone added, aiding our first responders in acquiring multiple grants, and helping with revitalization around Patriot Station.”
Orland Hills – Village President Kyle Hastings
“I’m endorsing Dan because our community cares deeply for our veterans and seniors and so does he. Dan’s constituent services are outstanding, especially when it comes to helping our veterans get support from the VA and our seniors get their benefits from Medicare and Social Security.”
Lyons – Village President Christopher Getty
“Dan has been a fixture in our community. From attending Fourth of July parades to Cops Night Out events, he always takes the time to meet with our residents and to listen. That’s why Dan is successful as a congressman – because he listens to his constituents and fights for their interests.”
Summit – Acting Village President Sergio Rodriquez
“Dan Lipinski is a great advocate for the Village of Summit. We are working with him to modernize our community’s transportation infrastructure, which includes upgrading our Metra station and improving local roads. And he secured federal resources to help keep our emergency responders safe. He cares for us.”
Romeoville – Village President John Noak
“I’m endorsing Congressman Lipinski because he is fighting for federal resources and support that can help spur economic growth, create jobs, and make our community an even better place to live. He has been an incredibly accessible congressman for Will County.”
30 Mayors and Village Managers from the Third District Endorse Dan Lipinski for Reelection
Alsip – John Ryan
Burbank – Dan Foy
Bridgeview – Steve Landek
Chicago Ridge – Chuck Tokar
Hickory Hills – Mike Howley
Hometown – Kevin Casey
Justice – Kris Wasowicz
Merrionette Park – Dennis McGee
Oak Lawn – Sandra Bury
Orland Hills – Kyle Hastings
Palos Heights – Bob Straz
Palos Hills – Jerry Bennett
Palos Park – John Mahoney
Worth – Mary Werner
Bedford Park – Dave Brady
Berwyn – Bob Lovaro
Cicero – Larry Dominic
McCook – Jeff Tobolski
Stickney – Jeff Walik
Forest View – Tom Heller
Summit – Sergio Rodriquez
LaGrange – Tom Livingston
Western Springs – Alice Gallagher
Willow Springs – John Carpino
Lyons – Chris Getty
Hodgkins – Noel Cummings
Indian Head Park – Tom Hinshaw
Lemont – John Egofske
Lockport – Steve Streit
Romeoville – John Noak
# # #
Veteran Congressmen Gutierrez and Schakowsky endorse Lipinski rival Marie Newman
The same morning, Congressman Luis Gutierrez and Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky, two leading members of the Democratic Party representing Illinois in Washington D.C., shocked the political establishment endorsing Newman over their Democratic colleague.
“The people of Illinois’ 3rd district want a pro-health care, pro-immigrant, pro-woman, pro-LGBTQ Member of Congress to represent them in Washington. Unfortunately, the current Member does not reflect those values, which is why I am endorsing Marie Newman for Congress,” said Schakowsky in a statement.
“Marie Newman is a bold progressive with real experience fighting bullies, just like the one in the White House. We need more women like Marie Newman in Congress.”
Gutierrez said in a statement,”As public servants, our top priority is to put the best interests of the hardworking Illinois families we represent first. Unfortunately, Dan Lipinski has not always made that his mission.”
“That’s why I’m proud to endorse Marie Newman in her bid to represent Illinois’ third district. Marie will fight for the reproductive freedom of all Illinois families, protect immigrants and our Dreamers and fight to give all hardworking families their best shot.”
In response, Newman stated, “For too long Dan Lipinski has let his own self-interests blur his vision, putting his own extreme ideologies ahead of the wellbeing of the hardworking Illinois families he represents. But right now is the time for change.”
Here are Newman’s endorsements:
Marie Newman is proud to partner with, and be endorsed by, multiple organizations and individuals at the national and local level.
Pueblo Sin Fronteras / Familia Latina Unida ↗
Pueblo Sin Fronteras / Familia Latina Unida was formed primarily by undocumented Mexican Catholics whose efforts to organize their own community and provide a better education for their children were opposed by the neighborhood Catholic Church. They were active in their church and depended on their faith – but they wanted a church that would support their efforts. “Marie Newman is the clear choice for strong leadership for immigrant families in the 3rd Congressional district,” said Pastor Emma Lozano. “For too long, the 3rd has had anti-immigrant and anti-women’s health representation. And it’s time for a strong progressive like Marie to represent the true values of the community.”
Reclaim Chicago
Reclaim Chicago is a grassroots political organization that endorses, elects, and holds accountable elected officials who put the needs of people and the health of our planet before corporate profits. Reclaim Chicago is committed to recruiting, training, and supporting people from our communities who share our values and our analysis to run for office. “As a resident of the 3rd District and Co-Chair of the Movement Politics Table for Reclaim Chicago, I am excited for us to be endorsing Marie Newman for Congress,” said Quade Gallagher. “We need a strong, bold vision for the 3rd District to ensure that the dignity of people of our community is upheld and fought for on the national stage, and Marie is the candidate for that vision.”
National Nurses United
National Nurses United (NNU) is the nation’s largest and fastest growing union of registered nurses with more than with 150,000 RNs across the country, including 6,500 in Illinois. “Americans trust nurses and nurses trust Marie Newman to be deeply committed to our nurses values: caring, compassion, and community,” said Martese Chism, RN, and member of the Board of Directors of National Nurses Organizing Committee, NNU’s Illinois affiliate. “Medicare for All can make the difference between life and death for millions of our patients and Marie’s passion for campaign finance reform will place the voices of people over the money of corporations.”
Alderman Ameya Pawar
Ameya Pawar is a progressive alderman and current member of the Chicago City Council. Pawar joins a growing list of progressive people and institutions who are lending their support to Newman’s campaign. “Marie Newman is a fighter committed to social justice. You see, while politicians like Bruce Rauner and Donald Trump bully people and communities with their divisive politics, Marie has been recognized nationally for her efforts to combat bullying in schools,” said Ameya Pawar. “She’s worked for many years to promote common sense gun reforms and as an advocate for cancer research. Marie’s candidacy presents us with a choice: elect a progressive who believes we rise and fall together, or continue with more of the same entrenched and divisive politics. This is what makes her candidacy compelling and inspiring. By supporting Marie, we are supporting an agenda for all of us. An agenda which includes more funding for public education, Medicare for All, and greater support for working families across our nation. The choice couldn’t be clearer.”
Gloria Steinem
Gloria Steinem is a writer, lecturer, political activist, and feminist organizer. “We need effective, principled fighters who can put an end to this president’s unilateral actions by stopping them in Congress – and that’s what Marie Newman will do. It’s what she stands for. She is unafraid of doing what’s right, even in this time when it isn’t easy. Too many times, Dan Lipinski has voted to deprive citizens of healthcare, to oppose immigrant’s rights, to de-fund Planned Parenthood, to suppress contraception, to oppose marriage equality, and to deny the rights of LGBTQ Americans. He is not a Democrat or even a supporter of human rights.”
Feminist Majority
The Feminist Majority is dedicated to women’s equality, reproductive health, and non-violence. “The Feminist Majority is proud to endorse Marie Newman to represent the 3rd District of Illinois in the United States House of Representatives. Newman will fight to protect, improve and expand access to healthcare for all people, including defending women’s health clinics and a woman’s right to make her own reproductive health decisions. From gun safety, to protecting the environment, to advocating for paid family leave, Marie Newman is the feminist choice and will be a strong voice for Illinois in the United States House of Representatives.”
American Women’s Party
The American Women’s Party (AWP) is an advocacy group fighting for equal representation, participation, and policy development for women in the Democratic Party. “The American Women’s Party enthusiastically endorses Marie Newman based on her strong platform supporting a women’s right to bodily autonomy, LGBTQ rights, healthcare expansion, and gun sense laws. Newman is challenging anti-choice candidate Dan Lipinski for the Illinois 3rd congressional district seat. Dan Lipinski has consistently voted against women’s rights and opposed LGBTQ rights in the name of ‘religious liberty.’ We can no longer accept Democratic candidates who sideline or oppose the rights of women and LGBTQ people. The American Women’s Party is committed to endorsing strong candidates like Newman who will fight for the rights of women and marginalized groups.”
NARAL Pro-Choice America
NARAL Pro-Choice America engages in the fight for reproductive freedom for every person in every state. Each day, NARAL works to organize and mobilize to protect that freedom by fighting for access to abortion care, birth control, paid parental leave and protections from pregnancy discrimination. “Time is up for Congressman Lipinski. For too long, Dan Lipinski has ignored the needs of working families across Illinois, by pushing his fringe ideological agenda at the expense of women and families across the state,” said Ilyse Hogue, president of NARAL Pro-Choice America. “Congressman Lipinski is way out of step with his constituents and with Democratic party principles when it comes to women’s rights, LGBT equality, and the basic freedoms that Americans hold dear. In contrast, Marie Newman holds equality and self-determination as non-negotiable and will fight for all of our rights, including our reproductive freedom. NARAL members are proud to stand with Marie Newman as she fights to give Illinois families a voice in Congress.”
Human Rights Campaign
The Human Rights Campaign (HRC) represents a force of more than 3 million members and supporters nationwide. As the largest national lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer civil rights organization, HRC envisions a world where LGBTQ people are ensured of their basic equal rights, and can be open, honest and safe at home, at work and in the community. “The people of greater Chicago deserve a leader who will stand up for every resident and serve as a champion for equality. Marie Newman is that leader, and we are proud to endorse her in this race,” said JoDee Winterhof, Senior Vice President of Policy and Political Affairs at the Human Rights Campaign. “It’s time for new leadership and someone who will fight for full LGBTQ equality in Congress—it’s time for Marie Newman.”
MoveOn.org
MoveOn is the largest independent, progressive, digitally-connected organizing group in the United States. Launched in 1998, MoveOn pioneered online organizing and advocacy techniques that have become standard in politics, nonprofits, and industry in the U.S. and worldwide. “Dan Lipinski is one of the worst Democrats in Congress. He voted against the Affordable Care Act, has consistently opposed a woman’s right to choose, and has sided with Donald Trump in support of his horrific anti-immigrant agenda,” said Matt Blizek, elections mobilization director for MoveOn.org Political Action. “For Democrats to win back the House in 2018, they need to do so with candidates who act like Democrats, not Donald Trump Republicans. That’s why Marie Newman earned more than 90% of the votes cast among the 11,000 MoveOn members in Illinois’ 3rd congressional district. We’re proud to support Marie Newman, who will be a progressive voice to represent the values of Illinois’ 3rd District voters in Congress.”
Democracy For America
Democracy For America (DFA) is a member-driven, people-powered political action committee committed to transforming the Democratic Party from the ground up. “Democracy for America members are supporting Marie Newman in her race for Congress because Illinois voters deserve a Democratic congressional delegation that is as unflinchingly committed to fighting for abortion rights and LGBT equality as they are to standing up to any other racial and economic injustice,” said Charles Chamberlain, executive director of Democracy for America. “Congressman Dan Lipinski’s backward, right-wing ideology is profoundly out of step with a twenty-first century Democratic Party and we can’t wait to see him replaced by Marie Newman in the U.S. House.”
Progressive Change Campaign Committee
The Progressive Change Campaign Committee (PCCC) is is a million-member grassroots organization building power at the local, state, and federal levels. It engages in electoral work and issue advocacy work on democracy issues and for economic populist priorities. “Dan Lipinski may have a D next to his name—but he isn’t a Democrat, and his record proves it. Dan Lipinski opposed the Affordable Care Act, voted with Republicans to gut Wall Street regulations, and voted against student debt relief. In addition to voting with big corporations against working families, he’s consistently undermined the rights of women, immigrants, and the LGBTQ community,” said Stephanie Taylor, co-founder of the Progressive Change Campaign Committee. “Marie Newman is on the side of working people, and will be a champion for issues they talk about across the kitchen table.That’s why we’re proud to endorse Marie Newman in the primary against Dan Lipinski. The people of Illinois deserve a real Democrat and progressive leader who will side with them—not with Wall Street.”
Off the Sidelines
Off the Sidelines is Senator Kirsten Gillibrand’s call to action to encourage every woman and girl to make their voice heard on the issues they care about. Off the Sidelines believes that if more women are elected to office and have a seat at the decision-making table, the outcomes will be better. Whether it’s in the classroom, the boardroom, Congress, or at home, every woman can affect change in ways both big and small. “We need Marie Newman in Congress so that we have another vote for health care, for women, and for our LGBTQ friends and family,” Senator Gillibrand said. “Marie is willing to stand up for what the constituents of the Third want, which is why she’s gaining so much support in district. I am happy to offer our support to her, too.”
Northside Democracy for America
Northside Democracy for America is a grassroots political organization dedicated to electing “socially progressive, fiscally responsible, ethically committed Democrats to all levels of government.” Northside DFA is registered as a political committee with the state of Illinois, with a steering committee of up to ten members.
Daily Kos
Daily Kos is the largest online political community with over 350,000 progressive activists reaching over 3 million people each month, which makes them the #1 place to find liberals online according to Quantcast. Daily Kos has the second most engaged audience of any news and information site and was one of two sites instrumental in driving and sustaining the viral process of political information.
Blue America
Blue America PAC is a collaboration between the authors/publishers of DownWithTyranny.com, Hullabaloo.com, and CrooksandLiars.com. Blue America “wants to replace the bipartisan Conservative Consensus in Congress with a strong and activated progressive movement that will serve the needs of ordinary American families, not the 1%, not corporate special interests and not careerist political hacks and their lobbyist buddies.”
Hispanic American Labor Council
The Hispanic American Labor Council consists of AFL-CIO, Teamsters, and Independent Union members. “The Hispanic American Labor Council strongly urges its members, family members, and friends of organized labor to give Marie Newman their vote.”
Hanania also writes about Middle East issues for the Arab News, and The Arab Daily News criticizing government policies in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Hanania was named "Best Ethnic American Columnist" by the New America Media in November 2007, and is the 2009 recipient of the SPJ National Sigma Delta Chi Award for column writing.
Email Ray Hanania at rghanania@gmail.com.
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