Local mayors line up behind Newman

By Bob Bong

U.S. Rep. Marie Newman is wasting no time lining up supporters for her bid to win the Democratic nomination in the new 6^th Congressional District.

Newman, who hopes to continue serving the southwest suburbs from the newly drawn district, announced Monday that 10 area mayors have endorsed her in next June’s primary election when she will likely face off with Democratic House colleague Sean Casten.

“Last year, we made history by bringing together a coalition of neighbors, working families, volunteers, and voters from every corner of our communities to stand up against decades-old Machine politics, billionaires, and deep-pocketed special interests – and, we are doing it again,” she said when announcing her bid for re-election. “I am proud to announce that I am once again running to represent the residents of Chicago’s Southwest Side and our neighbors in the surrounding west and southwest suburbs. The lion’s share of this new district is made up of the communities and residents I represent today and I look forward to continuing to serve them in Congress.”

“I’ve been in government for years and I’ve never seen the collaboration and willingness to get involved like I’ve seen with Congresswoman Newman,” said Oak Lawn Mayor Terry Vorderer. “Together, we have tackled flooding issues, postal delays, support for seniors, and she’s always been here for our veterans. I wholeheartedly endorse her for re-election because I know she will continue to fight for her neighbors here on the Southwest Side.”

“Marie Newman has always been a champion for the environment, and she’s delivering on pledges she’s made,” said Countryside Mayor Sean McDermott. “We’ve led on renewable energy in Countryside and we’re pleased to see Congresswoman Newman fight for us in Washington. She’s introduced and championed legislation to bring good-paying jobs to the South and West suburbs, institute a carbon fee, and provide training and resources to facilitate a just transition for people working in other sectors as we work on building a green American economy.”

Palos Hills Mayor Gerald Bennett added, “Congresswoman Newman is going to bat for our community every day. She knows the importance of infrastructure investment in local government. With this new funding coming in, we’ll be able to accelerate crucial projects to repair bridges and roads, and make our communities safer for residents across the South and West suburbs.”

Also endorsing her run for re-election are: Bedford Park Mayor Dave Brady, Bridgeview Mayor Steve Landek, Hickory Hills Mayor Mike Howley, Hometown Mayor Kevin Casey, Indian Head Park Mayor Tom Hinshaw, La Grange Mayor Mark Kuchler, and Palos Park Mayor John Mahoney.

The new 6^th District runs from Villa Park on the north to Tinley Park on the south and Lisle on the west to Beverly on the east.

The district was carved out of six existing congressional districts, but about 41 percent of the people in the new district are currently represented by Newman including communities such as Orland Park, Palos Heights, Palos Park, Oak Lawn, Hickory Hills, Worth, Chicago Ridge, Palos Hills, Bridgeview, Bedford Park, Willow Springs, Countryside, and Hodgkins. Portions of Chicago’s Clearing and Garfield Ridge communities are also included in the new 6^th District.

About 23 percent of the new district’s population comes from the current 6^th District.

As for not living in the new 6^th District, Newman said her home in LaGrange was moved into the 4^th District “in the middle of the night on Thursday night at the request of a handful of wealthy donors and high-level politicians.”

Even though Newman lives a few blocks into the new 4^th District, you do not have to live in a Congressional district to run for that seat. You do, however, have to move into the district if elected.

It will be her third straight primary battle. She duked it out with incumbent Dan Lipinski in the 2018 and 2020 Democratic primaries.

The primary will be June 28, 2022, as the General Assembly moved next year’s primary election to the summer instead of its usual March date.

Casten, of Downers Grove, has said that he will also seek re-election.