* The Hill looks at Congressman Dan Lipinski’s Democratic primary bid against progressive Marie Newman, among others…
Lipinski is no stranger to either primary challenges or opposition from sitting Democrats. In last year’s primary, two veteran Illinois Democrats — Reps. Jan Schakowsky and Luis Gutiérrez — bucked their colleague to endorse Newman.
In what might be a sign of shifting political dynamics in a presidential cycle, however, Schakowsky has so far declined to pick a side in this year’s contest. And Rep. Jesús Garcia (D-Ill.), a liberal freshman who replaced the retired Gutiérrez, said he’s “not in a hurry” to jump into the race — and suggested he won’t do so.
“I serve with him on the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee and at least three subcommittees,” Garcia said of Lipinski, “so I really haven’t given that much thought.” […]
“I know Marie and like Marie, but there’s also something to the fact that [Lipinski’s] a current member and that mutual respect,” Rep. Robin Kelly, another progressive Illinois Democrat, told The Hill. “I don’t agree with all of his stances, but you know how you respect the office, like we say about the president?”
- Steve - Monday, Sep 23, 19 @ 12:27 pm:
Lipinski might not want some leftists endorsements anyway even if his district is changing.
- Fav human - Monday, Sep 23, 19 @ 12:34 pm:
Perhaps the speaker has cracked the whip?
- @misterjayem - Monday, Sep 23, 19 @ 12:36 pm:
This is a wretched response.
– MrJM
- DuPage Bard - Monday, Sep 23, 19 @ 12:44 pm:
We don’t want to undercut what Cheri said, no resources available for people challenging incumbents.
Especially Schakowsky since she helped get Cheri into the leadership spot.
- Shevek - Monday, Sep 23, 19 @ 12:45 pm:
@ @misterjayem - My thoughts exactly.
- Practical Politics - Monday, Sep 23, 19 @ 1:00 pm:
The Lipinski brand still has some favorable voter recognition in the 3rd district. While Dan is not as popular as Bill (his father) and the demographics are changing, I am not sure that a progressive challenger is going to score an upset just yet. Dan Lipinski draws some cross over votes from Republican leaning voters, including some who are willing to cast primary ballots for him.
I could see the seat flipping in four years, but not now.
- Amalia - Monday, Sep 23, 19 @ 1:34 pm:
seniority matters. it gets one to chair committees or be next in line. Lipinski has valuable experience on transportation issues, something that drives the economy. all the issues that the Marie Newman supporters are touting are unrelated to the economy. it’s not simply about voting for bills. it’s about relationships with agencies and budgets. those members not going against him understand this, or learned and heard from Pelosi.
- indianbadger - Monday, Sep 23, 19 @ 1:55 pm:
I don’t understand why there is a need to go begging for endorsements from incumbents if you are running as a insurgent? Take a page out of the AOC campaign and do it that way. Plus do these endorsements really matter, except as some kind of internal scorekeeping?
- Southwest Sider - Monday, Sep 23, 19 @ 1:57 pm:
My favorite topic, since I am in this district. Marie Newman came very close last time, which surprised me - I don’t think our is more traditional Democrat, versus Progressive.
- Roman - Monday, Sep 23, 19 @ 2:05 pm:
I’m not shocked by Chuy sitting it out…he’s quietly built some bridges to what’s left of the old Southwest Side political establishment, probably with his eyes on the remap. If Schakowsky doesn’t endorse Newman, that would be surprising since she made a big show of backing her last year — and it’s likely an indication that Pelosi is working hard on Lipinski behalf, as @fav human mentioned above.
Newman shouldn’t fret about it. I don’t think endorsements from Congressional figures do her much good. Lipinski’s most effective line of attack is to portray her as a darling of the Beltway political establishment. Counterintuitive, but effective.
- Quibbler - Monday, Sep 23, 19 @ 2:06 pm:
== all the issues that the Marie Newman supporters are touting are unrelated to the economy. ==
Ask one of your LGBT friends whether they think employment discrimination is an economic issue.
- Powdered Whig - Monday, Sep 23, 19 @ 2:41 pm:
=== Ask one of your LGBT friends whether they think employment discrimination is an economic issue. ===
Its certainly not the most pressing economic issue in the 3rd Congressional district - which I think is the point.
- Colin O'Scopy - Monday, Sep 23, 19 @ 2:44 pm:
Marie Newman would be well-served if someone told her that people loath Congress but generally like their Congressperson.
She should spend more time walking precincts and less time looking for the next big progressive headline.
- Quibbler - Monday, Sep 23, 19 @ 5:00 pm:
== Its certainly not the most pressing economic issue in the 3rd Congressional district - which I think is the point. ==
We’re moving the goalposts now, but (a) civil rights are and will always be a pressing economic issue for the people who are being denied them; and (b) even under a very cramped view of what constitutes an “economic” issue, stuff like Medicare for All and the Green New Deal, which Newman and her backers champion, unquestionably qualifies.