Sanders-Backed Activist Beats Conservative Anti-Abortion Democrat Dan Lipinski in Illinois

Sen. Bernie Sanders may have lost big on Tuesday but his support appears to have helped progressive advocate Marie Newman to defeat incumbent Rep. Dan Lipinski, The New York Times reports.

Newman, a Sanders-backed activist and business consultant, eked out a win over Lipinski, who opposes abortion and voted against Obamacare, by about 2 points on Tuesday.

Along with Sanders, Newman drew support from the Justice Democrats, EMILY’s List, and pro-choice groups.

Lipinski edged out Newman in her previous attempt to unseat him in 2018.

Lipinski has held the seat since 2005, after his father, who held the seat since 1982, gifted it to him after his retirement.

Progressives clam victory:

“This is a critical victory for the progressive movement in showing that voters are ready for a new generation of progressive leadership in the Democratic Party,” said Alexandra Rojas, executive the director of Justice Democrats, according to The Times. “This isn’t just a loss for one incumbent. It’s a defeat for machine politics and big corporate donors who want to stop our movement for ‘Medicare for all,’ a Green New Deal and reproductive rights.”

"The voters of Illinois' 3rd congressional district have spoken loud and clear, rejecting Rep. Dan Lipinski's anti-choice, anti-equality, and anti-worker agenda," said Ilyse Hogue, president of NARAL Pro-Choice America. "They have a champion in Marie Newman and soon will have a representative in Congress who shares their values and priorities."

Sanders’ ideas win, even if he doesn’t:

Newman’s win came despite Sanders getting thrashed in the state on Tuesday. Criminal justice reformer Kim Foxx, another candidate backed by Sanders, also won her race to stay on as Chicago’s top prosecutor.

Voters in Illinois overwhelmingly backed Sanders’ proposal to replace private insurance with a government-run system to Biden’s plan, even as they voted for the former veep.

Despite Biden winning 19 of the last 24 primaries, Democrats in 23 consecutive states say they back the Sanders proposal to Biden’s approach.

 

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