Marie Newman

Marie Newman is a former U.S. Representative who served Illinois's 3rd congressional district from January 2021 until January 2023. A member of the Democratic Party, she gained prominence in national politics after defeating a long-standing incumbent in the 2020 primary election. Newman has a background in marketing and consulting, and she has been actively involved in social issues, particularly those related to bullying and gun control. Following her congressional tenure, she was appointed as the chief executive officer of a social services organization.

Early life and career

Marie Newman was born Marie Klassen on April 13, 1964, in Evergreen Park, Illinois. She grew up in the Chicago area and attended Carl Sandburg High School in Orland Park. After completing high school, Newman began her higher education at Marquette University but later transferred to the University of Wisconsin–Madison, where she earned a bachelor's degree.

Newman's professional career began in the marketing sector, where she worked for various firms as an agency executive. In 2005, she established her own consulting firm, which allowed her to focus on her interests and initiatives. In addition to her business endeavors, Newman founded a nonprofit organization aimed at combating bullying, motivated by personal experiences involving her children. Her commitment to this cause led to her appointment by Governor Pat Quinn to a regional anti-bullying task force. She also collaborated with Sears Holdings Corporation to create a national anti-bullying coalition that included 70 nonprofit organizations.

In her efforts to provide guidance to parents dealing with bullying, Newman co-authored a book titled "When Your Child is Being Bullied." The book serves as a practical resource, offering strategies for parents on how to address bullying effectively, including the importance of documenting incidents and communicating with school officials.

Throughout her career, Newman has been active in supporting Democratic campaigns and advocating for various social issues. Between 2015 and 2017, she focused on lobbying for gun control measures, specifically advocating for background checks to enhance public safety.

House tenure

Newman's political career gained significant momentum when she declared her candidacy for Illinois's 3rd congressional district in April 2017. She aimed to challenge the incumbent, Dan Lipinski, who had held the seat since 2005 and was a member of the Blue Dog Coalition. Running to Lipinski's left, Newman garnered support from several progressive organizations and prominent figures within the Democratic Party. However, in the 2018 primary election, she was narrowly defeated by Lipinski, receiving 48.8% of the vote compared to his 51.2%.

Undeterred by her previous loss, Newman launched another campaign for the same congressional seat in the 2020 Democratic primary. This time, she received endorsements from several high-profile politicians, including Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Senators Elizabeth Warren and Bernie Sanders. The primary election held on March 17, 2020, was particularly significant for progressive women's groups, as it followed a series of setbacks for candidates they supported in earlier primaries. In a closely contested race, Newman emerged victorious, defeating Lipinski with 47.26% of the vote, thereby ending the Lipinski family's 38-year hold on the district.

Following her primary victory, Newman faced Republican candidate Mike Fricilone in the general election on November 3, 2020. She won decisively, securing approximately 55% of the vote. Newman's congressional term officially began in January 2021.

During her time in the House of Representatives, Newman was involved in various legislative activities and initiatives. In January 2021, she voted to impeach President Donald Trump, reflecting her stance on issues of governance and accountability.

In October 2021, the Illinois legislature approved a new congressional map that significantly altered the boundaries of Newman's district due to redistricting following the 2020 Census. This change placed her home in a district represented by Jesús "Chuy" García, which had a majority Hispanic population. Newman decided to run in the newly drawn 6th District, which included parts of her original district. She faced incumbent Representative Sean Casten in the 2022 Democratic primary. Despite her efforts, Newman lost the primary election to Casten on June 28, 2022.

Legislative focus and committees

During her tenure in Congress, Newman focused on a range of issues that aligned with her progressive values and the interests of her constituents. Her advocacy included efforts related to healthcare, education, and social justice. Newman was known for her commitment to addressing the needs of marginalized communities and promoting policies aimed at improving the quality of life for residents in her district.

In addition to her legislative priorities, Newman served on various committees during her time in the House. These committees provided her with platforms to influence policy and engage with fellow lawmakers on critical issues facing the nation. Her involvement in these committees allowed her to contribute to discussions on legislation that impacted her constituents and the broader public.

After her congressional term concluded on January 3, 2023, Newman transitioned to a new role as the chief executive officer of the Little City Foundation, a social services organization that provides support to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. This position reflects her ongoing commitment to public service and advocacy for vulnerable populations.

Newman's experiences in Congress and her dedication to social issues have been documented in her book, "A Life Made From Scratch: Lessons from a Controversial Congresswoman, Mompreneur, and Unstoppable Political Activist," which is set to be published in 2025. This work aims to share insights from her political journey and the challenges she faced while serving in office.