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About the Candidate

Name: Marie Newman
DOB: April 13, 1964
Occupation: Small Business Owner
Political Experience: Candidate for Congress, 2018. Former spokeswoman, Illinois Moms Demand Action
Website: marienewmanforcongress.com
Twitter: @Marie4Congress

Candidate Statement

Hello my name is Marie Newman. I’m running for congress in Illinois 03 in the Democratic Primary.

I am a mom, a small business owner, a former non-profit leader as well as a community activist. I am running for Congress because my community needs a real Democrat with a real plan that actually works.

In Illinois 03, we are threatened by the lack of affordability in our daily lives, soaring healthcare costs, gun violence, transportation issues and deserts - all of this underpinned by an economy that only works for a few.

I worked three jobs to put myself through college. I’ve lived without healthcare, and I’ve known the struggle of deciding which bills to pay and which to kick down the road.

I have been fortunate enough to work my way out of that struggle, but not everybody has the same luck that I did. It shouldn’t come down to luck. Everyone should have access to the support systems that I did.

I am running for Congress to help build an economy that works for all of us.

By fighting for common sense, pragmatic policies and solutions like expanding Medicare coverage to include all services like vision, dental and long term care and by providing it to all Americans, because healthcare is a right, not a privilege.

We absolutely can make life more affordable for all of us by standing by and strengthening organized labor.

By making it easier to join a union and find good paying jobs.

By fighting for a livable wage for every American.

By building more pathways to vocational school and public colleges.

By building a green economy - Investing in green infrastructure to fix our crumbling roads and bridges while addressing the crisis of climate change.

These aren’t new ideas, but to achieve them, Illinois’ Third District needs new leadership.

We need a Representative who will put our people first and who will truly listen - who will work with constituents, not against them.

I will fight for everyone in my district and will bring new representation to the voices in our community who have long been ignored.

Thank you, and I hope to earn your vote on March 17th.

Candidate Q&A

Why are you running?

I grew up on Chicago’s SouthWest side. I’ve raised my family here and have watched my community grow and change. And I've watched our current representative fail to address the needs of our changing community. I know that our leadership in Congress can do more for us, to make life better for all of our workers and working families. I am running for Congress because we need a representative in Washington who will put the hard working people of the South West side first. 

What is your vision for this office?

I am a coalition builder. From my experience working with clients in the healthcare industry as a marketing executive, to my success building a national non-profit to address bullying in schools, I have learned that to truly affect positive change, you need to be able to listen to and to understand those you're working with or advocating for. In this case, I am running for office to be an amplifier for the voices and concerns of my neighbors in the Third Congressional District. My vision is truly representational leadership, where the concerns of everyone in my district are understood and addressed. I look forward to playing a collaborative role in Washington, working with community groups, constituents, and local and state elected officials to map the best course forward for my community. 

What do you think is the most pressing issue facing your constituents and how do you plan on addressing it?

The safety and security of our community in IL-3 is threatened by climate change, gun violence, soaring healthcare costs, transportation deserts. All of this is underpinned by a growing unaffordability of life in this country that Congress is failing to address. My main focus is on building an economy that works for everyone in my District, on creating economic opportunities that makes life easier, safer and healthier. We can get this done by re-thinking how we legislate in Washington -- fighting for people, not corporate interests.