Marie Newman facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Marie Newman
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Illinois's 3rd district
In office January 3, 2021 – January 3, 2023
Preceded by	Dan Lipinski
Succeeded by	Delia Ramirez (redistricting)
Personal details
Born	Marie Klassen (1964-04-13) April 13, 1964 (age 61) Evergreen Park, Illinois, U.S.
Political party	Democratic
Spouse	Jim Newman ​ (m. 1996)​
Children	2
Education	University of Wisconsin–Madison (BA)

Marie Newman was born Marie Klassen on April 13, 1964. She is an American politician and a marketing consultant. From 2021 to 2023, she served as a U.S. Representative for Illinois's 3rd congressional district.

This district included parts of southwestern Chicago and many nearby towns. These towns included Oak Lawn, Western Springs, and Lockport. Newman was elected as a Democrat. She won after beating the person who held the seat before her, Dan Lipinski, in the 2020 primary election.

After new district maps were drawn in 2022, Newman had to choose a new district. She decided to run against Sean Casten in a different district. However, she was not re-elected. In April 2023, Newman became the CEO of Little City Foundation. This group helps people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Early Life and Career

Marie Klassen was born in Evergreen Park, Illinois, on April 13, 1964. She went to Carl Sandburg High School in Orland Park. After attending Marquette University, she transferred to the University of Wisconsin–Madison. There, she earned her bachelor's degree.

Newman worked as an executive for several companies. In 2005, she started her own consulting business. She also created a nonprofit organization to help stop bullying. She started this group after one of her own children was bullied.

Governor Pat Quinn asked her to join a special group against bullying. Sears Holdings Corporation also asked her to create a national group of 70 organizations to fight bullying. Newman has also worked on several political campaigns for the Democratic Party. From 2015 to 2017, she worked to support gun control laws.

Career After Congress

In April 2023, Marie Newman was named the chief executive officer (CEO) of Little City Foundation. This organization provides social services for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Little City helps over 900 people in northern Illinois. They offer homes, day programs, and help at home. Newman had a special connection to Little City. She volunteered there when she was young, and two of her cousins received services from them.

Serving in the U.S. House of Representatives

Elections to Congress

2018 Election

In 2016, Newman supported Bernie Sanders in the Democratic primary. She then supported Hillary Clinton in the main election. After Clinton lost, Newman decided to get more involved in politics. By January 2017, she had closed her business to focus on politics full-time.

On April 10, 2017, Newman announced she would run for Congress. She challenged Dan Lipinski, who had been in office since 2005. His father had held the seat for 22 years before him. Lipinski won the election with 51.2% of the votes, while Newman received 48.8%.

2020 Election

Newman ran against Lipinski again in the 2020 Democratic primary. She received support from many important politicians. These included Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Senators Elizabeth Warren and Bernie Sanders. Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot also supported her.

On March 17, 2020, Newman narrowly defeated Lipinski in the primary election. She won with 47.26% of the votes. This victory ended the Lipinski family's 38-year hold on the district. On November 3, Newman won the main election. She defeated Republican Mike Fricilone with about 55% of the votes.

2022 Election

In October 2021, new congressional district maps were created in Illinois. Newman's home was placed into a new district. This district was mostly represented by Jesús "Chuy" García. Newman decided to run in the redrawn 6th District instead. This district overlapped with her old one.

She challenged the current Representative, Sean Casten, in the Democratic primary. On June 28, 2022, Newman lost the primary election to Casten.

Time in Office

In January 2021, Newman voted to impeach President Donald Trump. In November 2021, she voted for the Build Back Better Act. This bill was passed by the House of Representatives.

Review by House Ethics Committee

In 2021, the House Ethics Committee looked into Marie Newman's actions. This was after questions were raised about an agreement she had made. The agreement was with Iymen Chehade, who had considered running against her.

The committee wanted to understand the details of this agreement. It was found that Newman had hired Chehade as a foreign policy advisor for her campaign. The investigation also looked at whether Newman had made similar agreements with other people. The matter was closed in the summer of 2022. No rules were found to have been broken.

A separate complaint was filed in February 2022 with the Federal Elections Commission. This complaint also looked into payments Newman made to Chehade. Newman said the complaint was politically motivated. The Federal Elections Commission investigated fully and dismissed the complaint in July 2023. They found no wrongdoing.

Committee Work and Groups

While in Congress, Marie Newman worked on several important committees:

• Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure
  • Subcommittee on Highways and Transit
  • Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials
• Committee on Small Business
  • Subcommittee on Contracting and Workforce
  • Subcommittee on Innovation, Entrepreneurship, and Workforce Development

She was also a member of the Congressional Progressive Caucus. This group includes members of Congress who support progressive ideas.

Political Beliefs

Newman hanging a Trans flag across from Marjorie Taylor Greene's office

Marie Newman is known as a progressive Democrat. This means she supports ideas like a higher minimum wage of $15 per hour. She also supports the Green New Deal, which aims to address climate change. Groups like Justice Democrats and the Sunrise Movement supported her campaigns.

LGBTQ+ Rights

Newman strongly supports the Equality Act. She believes this law is needed for the country to truly have freedom and equality. She has said that she entered politics to make the world better for her transgender daughter. After another politician spoke against the Equality Act, Newman hung a Transgender Pride flag outside her office. Her office was directly across from the other politician's office.

Israel

Newman was one of eight Democrats who voted against funding for the Iron Dome in Israel.

Election Results

2018

2020

2022

Personal Life

Marie Newman lives in La Grange, which is west of Chicago. She lives there with her husband, Jim. They got married in 1996 and have two children. Newman's daughter is transgender. Newman has often talked about how the lack of support for transgender people inspired her to run for public office.

See also

• Women in the United States House of Representatives