Chicago mayor endorses Marie Newman in 3rd District race
Candidate Marie Newman received the endorsement Saturday February 8 of Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot during a rally held at a South Side Chicago church outside of the 3rd Congressional District. Newman is making her second effort to unseat Congressman Dan Lipinski who was appointed to the seat to succeed his father, Bill Lipinski, in 2005.
By Ray Hanania
Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot Saturday endorsed Marie Newman in the hotly contested battle to represent the 3rd Congressional Districts in the March 17 Illinois Democratic Primary election.
Lightfoot, who became Chicago’s first African American female LGBTQ to hold the second city’s executive office, accused Newman’s opponent, incumbent Congress Dan Lipinski, of supporting President Donald Trump.
Lipinski has held the congressional seat since 2005 when he was appointed to succeed his father, Bill Lipinski. The 3rd Congressional District is a conservative Democratic bastion, whose voters are often referred to as “Reagan Democrats.” But in the Democratic sweep of the U.S Congress in 2018, Newman came within 2,200 votes of unseating Lipinski out of more than 95,000 votes cast.
“This is a dark time for our democracy and our personal rights. Families are being torn apart at the border due to President Trump’s inhumane immigration policies and Republicans have passed strict anti-abortion laws that undermine the protections of Roe v. Wade,” Lightfoot said at a press conference with Newman at Beverly Unitarian Church, 10244 S Longwood Drive,w which is in Chicago and outside of the 3rd District’s boundaries.
“I ran for mayor in part to ensure that Chicago will never follow the path down which Trump is trying to take our country. And on March 17th, voters have an important decision to make right in our backyard. I am proud to endorse Marie Newman to represent Illinois’ Third District.”
Newman welcomed Lightfoot’s endorsement which adds to many endorsements she has received from elected officials from he Chicagoland area.
“Today is not just an honor, it is amazing… People always ask ‘how did [Mayor Lightfoot] win her election?’ I know the secret. Hard work, tenacity, passion, integrity, and true blue leadership. That’s what it’s going to take to win this race,” Newman said.
“In this district, we are divided. We must have a bridge builder, and we must have someone that can build a coalition and move this district forward towards real progress. We have done over 280 meet and greets in this district. Why do we do that? We do that so we make sure that we hear every single person’s voice in this district, that we understand their problems, and that we hear their solutions. We forget as politicians that the people that have struggled, have the solutions. And that’s why I am running. We are going to support and advance everyone’s rights.”
Lightfoot said Newman will protect “hardworking immigrants and refugees who have helped build and grow our city and region” along with many other important issues.
“Marie Newman will stand in solidarity with these important communities. Her opponent, Dan Lipinski, called Trump a “champion on immigration reform” and voted against the DREAM Act. Those are not our values,” Lightfoot said.
“Speaking of values, Marie has been a stalwart supporter of a woman’s right to make her own health care decisions, while Rep. Lipinski has sponsored over 55 bills to restrict reproductive rights. This is not ancient history. Just last month, Lipinski joined Republicans calling on the Supreme Court to reverse Roe v. Wade.”
Lightfoot added, “The list goes on. Lipinski voted against Obamacare, mocks efforts to combat climate change, and is actually still opposed to marriage equality. That’s right, if it were up to Dan Lipinski, I wouldn’t be able to marry my wife.”
Calling Lipinski “Trump’s favorite Democrat,” she added, “We don’t need any more politicians who are actively attacking our communities and trying to turn back the clock. It’s time for the people of the Third District to have a real Democrat representing their values. I hope you’ll support Marie Newman.”
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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