Democrat Marie Newman is running for 3rd Congressional District seat. On the ballot, you will be able to vote for one of four candidates: Newman, Charles Hughes, Rush Darwish and incumbent Dan Lipinski. You can find Newman's answers to the Patch candidate questionnaire below:

Jim, my husband, and my kids Quinn and Evie

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

No

Education

BA, Journalism and Business, University of Wisconsin

Occupation

Small business owner 2005-2017

Campaign website

www.marienewmanforcongress.com

Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office

N/A

The single most pressing issue facing IL-03 District and what I intend to do about it.

The most pressing issue facing our district right now is the growing un-affordability of life. I intend to address this by working with colleagues in Congress to build an economy that works for everyone. We can do this by fixing our broken healthcare system, fighting for health care for all and affordable prescription drugs, because health care is a right, not a privilege. By protecting and expanding social security, by empowering and strengthening organized labor, by establishing a path to citizenship for immigrants that is clear and expedient, and by creating green workforce jobs to harness a growing green economy.

What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?

I was born in Beverly and grew up in a union family in Palos Park. These places shaped my belief that everyone should be treated equally and hard work should be rewarded. I scrubbed floors to pay my way through college and lived without health insurance. I have been fortunate enough to work my way out of this struggle, but not everybody has the same luck that I did, and I truly believe that it should not come down to luck. Unlike my opponent, I believe that everyone should have access to the support systems that I did. And unlike my opponent, I will not defend the status quo when my constituents demand real change to make healthcare more affordable, to make life more affordable, to solve the climate crisis, to fix our immigration system or to deliver necessary protections to our most vulnerable populations.

In what way has the incumbent failed the district.

My opponent, Rep. Lipinski, has been out of step with this district for too long. He has consistently proven that he is not willing to defend the best interests of our diverse community. From voting against the Affordable Care Act in 2010, to just this year co-sponsoring HR 2782 which would effectively take away employer provided coverage from 1 million workers working under 40 hours per week, to voting against the Dream Act which would have given thousands of kids who have lived in our community for years permanent residency. Congressman Lipinski has proven time and time again that he can not effectively protect the interests of workers, of women, of immigrants, of our environment, of all of us.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform.

Our district is looking for a leader who can fight for more affordable health care, common sense gun reform, climate action, protecting social security and medicare, fixing our crumbling infrastructure, women's health, more affordable pathways to college and vocational school, transformative immigration policy and bringing good paying jobs back to the community.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?

Throughout my life, I have been a coalition builder. From working with Moms Demand Action to build coalitions of Republicans and Democrats around ending gun violence and advocating for common sense gun reform, working with multiple stakeholders as a management consultant, to bringing together leaders in the community, in government and in business to address bullying in our schools, I have successfully brought together diverse interests to advance necessary goals.

If you win this position, what accomplishment would make your term in office as a success?



First, it is not about my success, it is about the success of the district. Right now we are not represented accurately. Success for IL-03 residents is bringing someone in who has practical and actionable solutions itemized in my plans: https://www.marienewmanforcongress.com. Further, bringing healthcare for all, raising wages, solving IL03 transportation deserts and creating greater strength for small businesses will be a success.



Why should voters trust you?



I have lived paycheck to paycheck, I have lived without health insurance, I understand what it is like to pick which bills to pay today and which bills to kick down the road. I know that politicians in Washington should be doing more for us, and I will work hand in hand with our community to make sure that we start advancing policies that actually make life better for all of us.



What are your views on fiscal policy, government spending and the use of taxpayer dollars in the office you are seeking?



I believe we are spending too much on tax cuts for the 1% and far too much on administrative expenses that produce nothing. All budgets should be reviewed and assessed for effectiveness.



Is there any reason you would not serve your full term of office, other than those of health or family?



No