Who is Marie Newman? Illinois congresswoman faces Democratic incumbent in redrawn district

Katherine Swartz, USA TODAY
·4 min read

Two incumbent congressional Democrats are vying for one district in Illinois on Tuesday. Rep. Marie Newman, who previously represented the 3rd District, is now running in the 6th District against Rep. Sean Casten.

It’s the only race in Illinois where two incumbent Democrats are running against each other, and the Chicago-area district is expected to be one of the closest races in the general election.

Midterm races:Here are ten House races to watch in 2022

About Illinois' 3rd Congressional District

Newman first ran for office in 2018 against 3rd District Democratic incumbent Dan Lipinski. Lipinski defeated her with 51.2% compared to her 48.8%.

Newman defeated Lipinski in the Democratic primary in 2020, receiving national progressive endorsements like Sens. Elizabeth Warren and Bernie Sanders and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. She received 47% of the vote, with Lipinski just shy of 45%.

Lipinski had held the seat since 2005, and before that, his father William Lipinski had held it for 22 years.

Following a 2021 investigation by the House Ethics Committee, the Office of Congressional Ethics unanimously voted that there was reason to believe Newman bribed a potential primary candidate into not running against her by offering him a position in her office.

Marie Newman, 3rd district Democratic candidate, waits to greet voters outside Kolmar Elementary School in Oak Lawn, Ill., on Tuesday, March 20, 2018.
Marie Newman, 3rd district Democratic candidate, waits to greet voters outside Kolmar Elementary School in Oak Lawn, Ill., on Tuesday, March 20, 2018.

Newman admitted to signing a contract promising Iymen Chehade a job in her congressional office in exchange for not running against her in the 2020 primary, paying him twice as much as similar jobs were paid. Chehade said his decision not to run against Newman was based on her promise of a job.

More: Ill. Rep. Marie Newman's alleged political bribe is focus of Ethics Committee investigation

The 6th District includes parts of Chicago suburban areas like Downers Grove and Lombard, but it now includes parts of the 3rd District in southwestern Cook County.

Newman’s home was drawn into the 4th District, but a majority of her 3rd District constituents now live in the 6th.

More: Who will control Congress for the next 10 years? It could come down to state supreme courts

Who is running against Marie Newman?

In the Democratic primary, Newman faces off against Casten.

Casten has represented the 6th District since 2019. While his home is in the district, now only 23% of his constituents live there now due to redistricting. This gives Newman an advantage, as 41% of her former 3rd District constituents are now in the 6th.

Who is Sean Casten?: Who is Sean Casten? Illinois congressman faces another Democratic incumbent in redrawn district

FILE - In this Aug. 23, 2021 file photo, Rep. Sean Casten, D-Ill., speaks during a news conference on Capitol Hill in Washington. Democratic incumbents, Reps. Sean Casten and Marie Newman, are facing off for a Chicago-area seat in the Democratic primary Tuesday, June 28.
FILE - In this Aug. 23, 2021 file photo, Rep. Sean Casten, D-Ill., speaks during a news conference on Capitol Hill in Washington. Democratic incumbents, Reps. Sean Casten and Marie Newman, are facing off for a Chicago-area seat in the Democratic primary Tuesday, June 28.

Newman is positioning herself as the more progressive opponent to Casten, as she supports the Green New Deal and a $15 minimum wage. That’s the same strategy she used against Lipinski, one of the most conservative Democrats in Congress. Casten is more to the left than Lipinski was, though, as he has voted with President Joe Biden 97% of the time.

Casten has outraised and outspent Newman by a wide margin. According to FEC filing, Casten has spent $3.1 million and has over $886,000 on hand, while Newman has spent $1.4 million and has over $394,000 on hand.

Operation mechanic and former precinct captain Charles Hughes is also running against Newman and Casten. He ran against Newman in the 3rd District in 2020 and received 2% of the vote.

Whoever wins the primary race will have a Republican challenger looking to flip the redrawn districts, expected to be one of the closest races in the state. Six Republicans are running in the primary.

Where does Marie Newman live?

She lives in La Grange. The town was part of the former 3rd District, which she represented. But after redistricting, her home is now in the newly-drawn 4th District with a heavily Hispanic population.

While Newman does not live in the 6th, 41% of her former 3rd District constituents are now in the 6th, which is what prompted her to run there against Casten.

Who is Marie Newman's family?

Newman and her husband Jim have been married since 1996 and have two children.

Newman’s daughter Evie came out as transgender in 2014. After Evie faced bullying in school, she and another mom established a framework for school districts to address bullying that was adopted by former Gov. Pat Quinn, according to Newman’s campaign website. Newman also founded the nonprofit “Team Up To Stop Bullying.”

What is Marie Newman's platform?

Newman is a progressive Democrat and is part of the Congressional Progressive Caucus. She supports the Green New Deal, the Equality Act and Medicare for All.

Newman is outspoken on Israeli/Palestinian issues and was one of eight Democrats to vote against funding the Iron Dome defense system.

On gun control, Newman supports reinstating an assault weapons ban and instituting “red flag laws” that would deny guns to people who are deemed dangerous.

Gun reform: One month after Uvalde massacre, Biden signs most significant gun control bill in nearly 30 years

Who has endorsed Marie Newman?

Progressive lawmakers including Pramila Jayapal, Rashida Tlaib and Ro Khanna have endorsed Newman.

Newman also has endorsements from organizations including Emily’s List, Planned Parenthood Action Fund, Everytown for Gun Safety, Sunrise Chicago and Our Revolution Illinois.

Marie Newman campaigns in the Archer Heights neighborhood of Chicago. She represents Illinois' 3rd District, and is running now in the 6th District after redistricting.
Marie Newman campaigns in the Archer Heights neighborhood of Chicago. She represents Illinois' 3rd District, and is running now in the 6th District after redistricting.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Democrats Marie Newman, Sean Casten face off in Illinois primary

  • Up next
  • Up next
  • Up next
  • Up next

Latest Stories

  • Trump’s $175m bond in fraud case should be voided, says New York attorney general

    Mr Trump’s bond hefty was posted by California-based Knight Specialty Insurance Company last month

  • Live video of man who set himself on fire outside court proves challenging for news organizations

    NEW YORK (AP) — Video cameras stationed outside the Manhattan courthouse where former President Donald Trump is on trial caught the gruesome scene Friday of a man who lit himself on fire and the aftermath as authorities tried to rescue him. CNN, Fox News Channel and MSNBC were all on the air with reporters talking about the seating of a jury when the incident happened and other news agencies, including The Associated Press, were livestreaming from outside the courthouse. The man, who distributed

  • Rockies postpone Friday night’s game against Seattle Mariners due to weather

    The Rockies have postponed Friday night’s game against the Seattle Mariners due to weather, officials said via the social media platform X, formerly Twitter.

  • Jets QB Zach Wilson is skipping offseason workouts while hoping to be traded

    New York Jets quarterback Zach Wilson has skipped the team's offseason workouts as he hopes to be traded to another club. But there has been little interest from other teams thus far.

  • Nova Scotia justice minister steps down after domestic violence comments

    HALIFAX — Nova Scotia Justice Minister Brad Johns has resigned, one day after he made comments downplaying the severity of domestic violence. Premier Tim Houston announced the resignation tonight, saying domestic violence is an issue his government takes very seriously. On Thursday, Johns disputed a public inquiry's finding that domestic violence is an epidemic and said drugs and gun violence are more serious problems. His comments came on the anniversary of the 2020 Nova Scotia mass shooting, w

  • The Iron Claw confirms streaming release date

    The Iron Claw has confirmed its first streaming release date.

  • Tennessee Volkswagen workers vote on union membership in test of UAW's plan to expand its ranks

    CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (AP) — The United Auto Workers’ ambitious drive to expand its reach to nonunion factories across the South and elsewhere is facing a key test Friday night as workers at a Volkswagen plant in Chattanooga, Tennessee, finish voting on whether to join the union. The UAW’s ranks in the auto industry have dwindled over the years as foreign-based companies with nonunion U.S. plants have sold increasingly more vehicles. Twice in recent years, workers at the Chattanooga plant have reje

  • What is VAR, how does it work and what are the biggest problems?

    VAR continues to be a hot topic in the Premier League week after week, leading to the PGMOL coming under increasing pressure while Uefa’s officials have also been criticised for their handling

  • Skydance expects to more than double its revenue in coming years, WSJ reports

    Skydance expects to make just over $1 billion in revenue in 2024 with Ebitda of $90 million, and in 2025 expects $2.29 billion in revenue and $322 million in Ebitda, the report added, citing people familiar with the matter. Paramount is currently engaged in exclusive deal talks with Skydance Media, an independent studio led by David Ellison, though some investors have urged Paramount to explore other options. Skydance did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment.

  • Passengers describe engine trouble on Sacramento-bound Southwest flight

    A Sacramento-bound Southwest Airlines flight was diverted back to the St. Louis airport on Friday. Passengers and Air Traffic Control audio said the plane landed safely after an issue with an engine.

  • Regina health-care workers picket for better pay and working conditions

    Dozens of health-care workers picketed outside of Regina's Pasqua Hospital on Friday to ask the province to address conditions in Saskatchewan's health-care system.The rally, organized by the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), was the fourth in a series across Saskatchewan, with the other three held in Weyburn, North Battleford and Prince Albert this month. CUPE 5430 president Bashir Jalloh said the union has been at the bargaining table since September 2023 and is frustrated with the pr

  • Sask Rivers board discusses SSBA Spring Assembly

    During their regular meeting on Monday, the Saskatchewan Rivers School Division board of education discussed the Saskatchewan School Boards Association (SSBA) Spring Assembly on April 11-12 in Saskatoon. The theme of the conference was ‘Forward Focus’. "There were lots of different professional development opportunities for the board that took place,” director of education Neil Finch said. According to a school division press release, trustees had the opportunity to gain valuable professional de

  • Olivia, dog seized from Beekmantown rescue A Canine Gem, dies, Elmore SPCA says

    Olivia, dog seized from Beekmantown rescue A Canine Gem, dies, Elmore SPCA says

  • Omaha police remove man for entering Underwood Tower to inspect reports of mold and bed bugs

    Community advocates send air quality consultant into building after KETV investigation.

  • Police: Suspect in custody in connection with armed bank robbery in Fairfield Twp.

    Police: Suspect in custody in connection with armed bank robbery in Fairfield Twp.

  • Flipped semi closes all lanes on northbound I-71 in Lytle Tunnel

    Flipped semi closes all lanes on northbound I-71 in Lytle Tunnel

  • New collection by Billy-Ray Belcourt brings northern Alberta characters into his readers’ orbit

    In his fifth book Coexistence, Billy-Ray Belcourt (Driftpile Cree Nation) shares a collection of short stories that moves through Indigenous love, loss, queerness and hope. Themes of identity, belonging, past and present flow through each of the stories. Belcourt burst onto the literary scene in 2017 with his book of poetry This Wound is a World, winning multiple awards. Subsequent bestselling novels continued to bring recognition to the author, including the 2019 Inspire Award. Belcourt is now

  • Former Stockton school board president arrested

    Former Stockton Unified School District Board President AngelAnn Flores was arrested on Friday, according to the San Joaquin County Sheriff's Office.

  • Claudia Winkleman says men on The Traitors were ‘threatened’ by smart women

    Winkleman previously said she had originally turned down the offer to host the hit BBC programme.

  • Meet the German man who's mastered the synthesizer used in 'The Birds'

    STORY: A German man has mastered thislittle-known instrument called the Trautonium"It's like an ocean noise. I can also do the flutter. It flies directly to us."Location: Munich, GermanyIt creates chilling sounds andhas been used in hundreds of films(Peter Pichler, Trautonium player)"You are hearing the real Trautonium sound. And that has to do with the fact that Alfred Hitchcock made the film The Birds in 1962. You know the film: birds attack mankind and destroy mankind. But he realised that normal bird sounds were too boring. And that's why he had them created electronically, in Germany, by Oskar Sala."Pichler is self-taught and is believed to be theonly musician to perform live with the instrument"The Trautonium was developed in Berlin in 1930 ... And that was the future. People back then really thought they invented the iPad. This is a new sound, this is a new time. And everyone thought forget the violin, forget the piano. We don't need a guitar, we need electronic music like we need electronic light."