* Lynn Sweet…
Mirroring divides in the Democratic Party, organized labor is split in the heated Democratic Illinois primary pitting Rep. Dan Lipinski against challenger Marie Newman.
This battle for the third congressional district seat is the biggest Democratic House primary in Illinois, and endorsements are picking up for each contender as early balloting for the March 20 primary gets underway. In Illinois, the deadline to mail out ballots to overseas and military voters is Saturday.
In the past weeks, Lipinski has won endorsements from a stack of building trade unions, the Illinois AFL-CIO and the Chicago Federation of Labor. On Friday, Newman is expected to get the backing of SEIU Local 1
* New York US Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand is hosting a fundraiser for Newman today. And EMILY’s List also endorsed her today…
Stephanie Schriock, president of EMILY’s List, said in a statement:”With this Congress intent on ripping fundamental rights and autonomy away from women, it is critical that we elect leaders who stand with us. That is why we are endorsing Marie Newman for Congress. Throughout her career, Marie has worked to improve her community and advocate on behalf of children and families. Her record is unimpeachable. As a small businesswoman and nonprofit executive, Marie has shown that she will not back down from a challenge – a trait that will serve her well when fighting for the families of the 3rd District in Washington.
“The reality is that Dan Lipinski has not shown himself to be a leader that women and families can depend on. He has put women’s reproductive health care in jeopardy and sought to end protections against discrimination. This is not an acceptable way to govern – and it’s certainly not what the people of Illinois’ 3rd District deserve. We support Marie Newman in this election and urge the voters in this district to join us. With Trump and Congressional Republicans working around the clock to take us backwards, we need an ally like Marie fighting for progress. It’s time for change.”
* A Planned Parenthood endorsement could be happening as well…
Planned Parenthood, we’re told, could also be endorsing in short order.
*** UPDATE *** 10,000 members in the district. Impressive…
Today, the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) announced their endorsement of Democrat Marie Newman in her bid to unseat out-of-touch incumbent, Dan Lipinski. Marie joined union leaders and members from SEIU Local 1, HCII, and SEIU Local 73 at their downtown Chicago office this morning at a press conference to announce the endorsement. This is an unprecedented power move against the thirteen year incumbent Democrat, Lipinski, who recently made public his opposition to a livable wage at $15 an hour. SEIU has been the national leader on the fight for $15 movement.
“Congressman Lipinski’s refusal to support a $15 minimum wage for working people shows how deeply out of touch he is with the working families of his district,” said SEIU Illinois State Council President Tom Balanoff. “Whether it’s voting against Obamacare or voting for restrictions on a woman’s right to choose, it is clear Congressman Lipinski does not share the progressive values of his constituents. SEIU is proud to join a long list of progressive leaders and organizations in endorsing Marie Newman for Congress.”
“When you work hard and play by the rules, you deserve a shot at the American Dream. That is a value I share with the 10,000 SEIU members who are the very backbone of our community here in the Third District, said Marie Newman. “For far too long, Dan Lipinski has turned a blind eye to hardworking Illinois families, ignoring his responsibility to fight to give them a chance. I will never turn my back on our working families, rather, I will fight tirelessly to make sure workers can survive on a livable wage, starting at $15 an hour, have access to affordable and quality healthcare and Medicare for all, and their earned benefits through Social Security and have respect and dignity in the workplace. I could not be more honored to have the support of SEIU members and I look forward to working alongside them as a partner to make sure that, no matter who you are or where you come from, if you work hard you will have a fighting chance at success.”
- I live in Lipinski's District - Friday, Feb 2, 18 @ 10:26 am:
Lots of outside pressure against Lipinski. Inside the district, it is a different story. Almost every mayor endorsed Lipinski. He’s not going away.
- Lucky Pierre - Friday, Feb 2, 18 @ 10:31 am:
Take note moderates and Pro life voters, the Democrats don’t hear you and just closed their tent to people like you
- phocion - Friday, Feb 2, 18 @ 10:39 am:
The left wing takeover of the Democratic Party will turn what should have been a blue tidal wave into a ripple, if that. Republicans will maintain control of both Houses in DC. Lipinski will easily dispatch his primary opponent. The progressives will be humbled.
- Rich Miller - Friday, Feb 2, 18 @ 10:39 am:
===Lots of outside pressure against Lipinski. Inside the district, it is a different story===
Check the update. 10,000 SEIU members in that district.
- Rich Miller - Friday, Feb 2, 18 @ 10:40 am:
STOP THE PRESSES!!! BREAKING NEWS!!! Lucky Pierre supports the Madigan candidate!!!
lol
- Oswego Willy - Friday, Feb 2, 18 @ 10:43 am:
===STOP THE PRESSES … BREAKING NEWS… Lucky Pierre supports the Madigan candidate…===
lol, hilarious.
Lucky Pierre votes in Democratic primaries, maybe “Lucky Pierre” lives in the district and vote for the Madigan candidate too…
It’s like a Groundhog Day miracle…
- Rutro - Friday, Feb 2, 18 @ 10:59 am:
I think this is the second out of over 1000 posts I kind of agree with lucky P. Dem’s have taken the Catholics for granted & that’s eventually going to hurt.
- Dance Band on the Titanic - Friday, Feb 2, 18 @ 11:03 am:
Just like the Republicans are doing, now the Democrats are starting to purge the moderates from their party. It’s going to be an interesting day when all those purged moderates start working together.
- SaulGoodman - Friday, Feb 2, 18 @ 11:10 am:
**Almost every mayor endorsed Lipinski.**
Cool… that’s about 10 votes.
- Rutro - Friday, Feb 2, 18 @ 11:11 am:
Also, 10k seiu members in that district seems really high
- LT - Friday, Feb 2, 18 @ 11:17 am:
I also live in Lipinski’s district, and the dissatisfaction for him is decidedly INSIDE his district. His support comes from Madigan and the machine–outside of his district.
- I live in Lipinski's District - Friday, Feb 2, 18 @ 11:23 am:
==the dissatisfaction for him is decidedly INSIDE his district==
Do you have any polls are statistics to show that Lipinski is in trouble? Still a long shot to unseat him.
- Montrose - Friday, Feb 2, 18 @ 11:29 am:
“Dem’s have taken the Catholics for granted”
This statement assumes the primary issue for everyday Catholic voters is abortion. I don’t think that is the case. I know it isn’t for me.
- ChrisB - Friday, Feb 2, 18 @ 11:34 am:
So much smoke, no fire. Newman has been invisible. Lipinski has had several mailers, and has been out at the train stations. She has to actually campaign if she wants to win. That’s the ballgame.
Additionally, I’ve gotten a Durkin and Staub mailer every day, plus a walker this past weekend. She can’t blame the weather.
And LT, Madigan’s district is inside CD-3, so technically…
- Anonni - Friday, Feb 2, 18 @ 11:37 am:
To be fair, I think at least some portion of Madigan’s district is inside Lipinski’s. Just to be technical.
- Precinct Captain - Friday, Feb 2, 18 @ 11:38 am:
==- Montrose - Friday, Feb 2, 18 @ 11:29 am:==
“The Church” is out of step with its members anyway.
https://www.americamagazine.org/content/dispatches/us-catholics-hold-mixed-views-religious-liberty-issues
- City Zen - Friday, Feb 2, 18 @ 11:46 am:
““When you work hard and play by the rules…”
Except when you don’t…
https://www.politico.com/newsletters/morning-shift/2017/11/20/more-seiu-harassment-allegations-028437
- Too Much to Handle - Friday, Feb 2, 18 @ 11:56 am:
Madigan’s entire district, including his 13th Ward, is inside of Lipinski’s district.
- Stark - Friday, Feb 2, 18 @ 12:12 pm:
A key race for progressives to demonstrate their electoral bonafides.
- I live in Lipinski's District - Friday, Feb 2, 18 @ 12:13 pm:
==Lipinski has had several mailers, and has been out at the train stations==
Yep signs are going up everywhere too. Per the Tribune, Lipinski has far more campaign money. Plus an oganization and mainstream support.
This primary has really peaked my interest. More old school Democrats here. The Union endorsement was the first real strike against Lipinski. And he can probably overcome that.
- Ron Burgundy - Friday, Feb 2, 18 @ 12:16 pm:
Pretty sure I saw a Newman ad on WGN this morning.
- SaulGoodman - Friday, Feb 2, 18 @ 12:23 pm:
**Yep signs are going up everywhere too. **
Yup - that does it. Lipinski has yard signs. He’s gonna’ win.
- Anonymous - Friday, Feb 2, 18 @ 12:33 pm:
==Yup - that does it. Lipinski has yard signs. He’s gonna’ win.==
Newman doesn’t have name recognition yet. Time is running out. Yep, those yard signs. It’ll do it.
- Honeybear - Friday, Feb 2, 18 @ 1:45 pm:
This is one where I wish there had been more debate at the Afscme People (PAC) conference. Lipinski has a flawless 100% voting record with afscmes positions. Thus we voted to endorse him. I very much would have liked to have heard the opinion of a Newman supporter.
I really want to see a way forward together for labor and progressives.
- Roman - Friday, Feb 2, 18 @ 2:17 pm:
Still waiting for all the endorsements from progressive groups and politicians to translate into actual campaign cash for Newman.
I’ve said it before and will say it again: Newman is a liberal version of Jeanne Ives, she can’t win if she can’t introduce herself to the voters and explain to them that her opponent holds views that most of them disagree with. And Newman is even less known among rank-and-file Dem primary voters in the 3rd CD than Ives is among statewide GOPers.
What’s more, there are only seven weeks left. Even if the bucks start flowing now, it might be too late. Lipinski can be beat, but not like this.
- Amalia - Friday, Feb 2, 18 @ 2:26 pm:
saving money for districts where a Dem might beat a Republican is my preference.
- Anonymous - Friday, Feb 2, 18 @ 3:33 pm:
==only seven weeks left==
Correct. Newman is only well known with politicos like us. Not well known in this district.
==Lipinski can be beat== Let’s say he wins again. Time for him to shift a bit to accommodate more progressive voters. I still think the district is Conservative Democrat though. Voting patterns seem to suggest otherwise. Newman will be back in 2 years and could try again.
- Jim - Friday, Feb 2, 18 @ 5:08 pm:
==Newman is a liberal version of Jeanne Ives==
The only parallels are that they are long shot female candidates taking on entrenched candidates in their respective primaries. The parallels end there.
BTW I live in this district and have not heard from Newman’s campaign at all even though I’m a supporter. She will have to ramp up outreach in a big way in the next 1.5 months.