Pro-life Democrat Congressman narrowly wins Primary challenge against "Progressive"

Dan Lipinski, one of the very few true pro-life Democrats left in the Congress. He got lots of grass roots support from The Susan B Anthony list. Despite his having served seven terms, and being a staunch backer of what people used to view as mainline Democrat positions (like being a strong supporter of Unions)  he  was challenged because he is anti-abortion. His challenger was supported by Bernie Sanders. Lipinski won the Primary by 2%.

Dan Lipinski fights off primary challenge from progressive

Lipinski was first elected in 2004, taking over a seat his father held for more than two decades. He faced little serious competition since then in the heavily Democratic district, which includes parts of Chicago's southwest side and several suburbs.

Lipinski described himself as a "workhorse" who delivered for the district, bringing in federal transportation dollars and jobs. That helped earn him the support of many labor organizations, including the Illinois AFL-CIO.

He has called Newman and her supporters a "tea party of the left" and says their efforts to drive out Democrats with differing views will hurt the party and add to gridlock in Washington. Democrats, he said, should be united in fighting President Donald Trump, not going after each other.

Here's the press release put out by the Susan B. Anthony List -

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 21, 2018 | https://sba-list.org/17hoI Contact: Mallory Quigley, [email protected], 703-380-6674 Lipinski Defeats Newman in IL-03 Primary as Pro-life Voters Deliver Margin of Victory SBA List’s GOTV Efforts Reached More than 23,000 Voters ahead of Election Day, including 17,000 Homes Visited in Key Precincts Washington, D.C. – Today the national pro-life group Susan B. Anthony List (SBA List) celebrated as Rep. Dan Lipinski (D-IL) defeated NARAL-backed primary challenger Marie Newman after major news outlets called the race in Lipinski’s favor. With 97% of the vote counted by Wednesday morning, Lipinski led by 1,599 votes. SBA List’s six-figure GOTV effort reached more than 23,000 voters ahead of Election Day. The group’s team of 70 canvassers, including SBA List staff and students from nearby universities, visited 17,000 pro-life Democrat households in the district in the final days of the race as part of a campaign that also included digital ads and voter contact mail. “We are thrilled with Congressman Lipinski’s victory over Marie Newman and the abortion industry which is increasingly pushing the Democratic Party left on abortion,” said SBA List President Marjorie Dannenfelser. “This is a win not only for Rep. Lipinski and the pro-life movement, but for the majority of Americans who support common ground pro-life policies like limiting abortion after five months. Several national polls have found that as many as 51 percent of Democrats support limiting abortion after this point. Support for this compassionate legislation is strong among traditional Democratic voter groups and especially high among millennials (78 percent), African-Americans (70 percent), and Hispanics (57 percent). “Dan Lipinski is a pro-life hero of legendary courage and integrity. He’s not just a pro-life vote in Congress. He is a leader on this issue and, in 2010, he stood firm against Obamacare’s expansion of taxpayer-funded abortion even under intense pressure from party leaders to give in. It was an honor and a privilege for our team to support him and we look forward to continuing to work with him in Congress.” The winning margin was in part provided by pro-life Democratic primary voters reached in the days leading up to today’s election. Among Democratic primary voters targeted by Susan B. Anthony List in IL-03, 64 percent said they oppose taxpayer funding of abortion, and 58 percent committed to voting for Lipinski, with 8 percent voting for Newman or pulling the GOP ballot. 24 percent were undecided, and 9 percent refused. Lipinski is co-chair of the Congressional Pro-Life Caucus and the lead co-sponsor of the No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion Act. He was a speaker at the 2018 Chicago March for Life. SBA List’s field team is already on the ground in four 2018 Senate battleground states, with plans to expand, reaching out to low-turnout pro-life voters as well as Democratic women and Hispanics to educate them on their Senator’s record on life. Since July 2017, more than 300 canvassers have knocked on half a million doors across Ohio, Missouri, Florida, and Indiana. Susan B. Anthony List and its partner super PAC, Women Speak Out spent more than $18 million in the 2016 election cycle, knocking on more than 1.1 million doors in battleground states to defeat Hillary Clinton and maintain a pro-life Senate. SBA List is dedicated to pursuing policies and electing candidates who will reduce and ultimately end abortion. To that end, the SBA List emphasizes the education, promotion, mobilization, and election of pro-life women. The SBA List is a network of more than 630,000 pro-life Americans nationwide. ###

Comments

[Eileen Peterson]

Yes, Congratulation to a man who will not be bullied by the Democratic Party!

[catherine adago]

Why is Congressman Lipinski saying "we should go after Donald Trump"? President Trump is a pro life republican. I'm sorry if the President is not dainty enough for some pro lifers, look at what he has done for religious freedom. Look at what he stands up for and the judges he has appointed. Being pro life and wanting a democratic president is madness.