Illinois primary election: anti-abortion Democrat wins close congressional fight

[Eugene]

Source: The Guardian

Incumbent Democrat Dan Lipinski won a narrow victory after a fierce challenge from progressive Marie Newman on Tuesday in Illinois’s third congressional district. With 95% of the vote reporting, Lipinski, one of the few remaining anti-abortion Democrats on Capitol Hill, edged out Newman by 51% to 49%.

A seven-term incumbent, Lipinski had not faced a serious challenge in a decade. However, in a district that backed Hillary Clinton by 15 points in 2016, he faced criticism not just for his views on abortion but his opposition to the Affordable Care Act and refusal to endorse Barack Obama in 2012.

The race drew national attention as Newman was backed by a number of major players in the Democratic party including Emily’s List, the Human Rights Campaign and SEIU. She also received the support of national political figures including Kirsten Gillibrand and Bernie Sanders while touting her support for crucial progressive priorities such as Medicare for All and a $15 minimum wage.

In contrast, Lipinski relied on support from local labor unions as well as the remnants of the “Democratic machine” in Chicago. He also received last-minute help from Susan B. Anthony’s List, an anti-abortion group.

-snip-

Ben Jacobs in Washington
Wed 21 Mar 2018 05.29 GMT


Read more: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/mar/21/illinois-primary-election-anti-abortion-democrat-congressional-close-fight

[Skittles]

1. HOW is that asshole a Democrat?

[former9thward]

2. He was endorsed by Pelosi.

Sanders endorsed his opponent.

[hueymahl]

8. Very inconvenient fact for many.

[ancianita]

3. Shit. I detest that man's existence.

[Squinch]

4. This is not good.

[sinkingfeeling]

5. He's been in office there since 2004 and his father had the seat for 22 years

before then.

[Squinch]

7. I know.

[LuvLoogie]

6. The Congressional District boundaries were changed several

years ago (8?). I used to be in Lapinski's district, and I am now in Bobby Rush's district.

I think Lapinski might have lost under the old district lines. Much of his Dad's constituency moved west and the district line moved with it as east Beverly has grown more diverse and liberal.

[mvd]

9. Very disappointing to me

At least it was very close and we (progressives) did well in down ballot elections there. Sometimes change doesn't come all at once.