Democrats Draw Progressive Newman into Latino Majority District, House Passes Map with Minimum 71 Votes
Progressive Congresswoman Marie Newman (D-La Grange) was most penalized in the final version of a congressional redistricting plan Thursday. In the map approved by legislative Democrats, Newman was moved into a majority Latino district represented by Congressman Chuy Garcia (D-Chicago).
In a map released and passed by legislative Democrats within a few hours Thursday, Congresswoman Marie Newman’s (D-La Grange) political future went from difficult to nearly impossible.
Newman, a progressive who defeated moderate Democrat incumbent Dan Lipinski in the 2020 primary, was drawn into a Latino-majority district represented by Congressman Jesus ‘Chuy’ Garcia (D-Chicago) in what turned out to be the final redistricting map released by Democrats late Thursday.
Here’s the partisan breakdown of the new map, courtesy of Illinois Election Data on Twitter:
Newman has been tossed around like a political hot potato during the redistricting process, originally drawn into a district with Congressman Adam Kinzinger (R-Channahon), then into a potential primary with Congressman Sean Casten (D-Downers Grove).
“Whatever you guys have done to Marie Newman, I’m not sure,” Rep. Tim Butler (R-Springfield), the top Republican on the House Redistricting panel, said on the House floor. “She must have made someone pretty mad.”
Newman’s statement on the map:
“For the past month, hundreds of diverse community members from Chicago’s Southwest Side and suburbs have attended and overwhelmingly voiced their opinion at every single public input opportunity held by the Illinois General Assembly on the proposed congressional maps. Even after attending every single hearing in large numbers and delivering hundreds of testimonies, letters, calls and witness slips from voices in the district, the most recently proposed map is a clear attempt to appease one person and a small handful of affluent insiders at the expense of workers and working families on Chicago’s Southwest Side and suburbs. Illinois residents deserve fair representation and a fair map that includes public input — not one that turns a blind eye to it. This map undoubtedly does not live up to what Illinois residents deserve.”
Facing Garcia in a majority-Latino district is a nearly impossible task for Newman, so she could also choose to run against Casten in the new 6th district. She lives just a couple of miles from the line, and a member of Congress is not required to live in the district they run in or represent. One way or another, if Newman plans to stay in the House, she’ll have to beat another incumbent.
Casten statement:
“Each decade, our state assembly has an important constitutional obligation to ensure Illinoisans have congressional representation that reflects the vast geography and diversity of our state. I remain focused on fighting for my constituents as we work to make historic investments in climate action, families, and workers for the sixth district of Illinois.”
The Senate easily passed the map late Thursday, but high drama ensued in the House. After Newman supporters reportedly bombarded House Speaker Chris Welch with phone calls and text messages on his personal cell phone, Rep. Angelica Guerrero-Cuellar (D-Chicago), who replaced former Speaker Michael Madigan on the southwest side of Chicago, spoke vehemently against the Democratic maps, alleging both the congressional and legislative maps disenfranchised Latino voters.
“There was something done to [my] district intentionally to exclude Latinos and that representation,” she said on the floor last night. “I’m not saying that I’m against the Democratic Party, of course not. I was brought here because of the increase in the Latino population. But now I’m not respected, because my word means nothing.”
The House passed the map with the minimum 71 votes required after midnight Friday morning. Guerrero-Cuellar was the only Democrat to vote no. Rep. Kelly Cassidy (D-Chicago) didn’t vote on the proposal. It now heads to the Governor’s desk for signature.
The map continues to include two potential Republican primaries. Congressman Mike Bost (R-Murphysboro) and Congresswoman Mary Miller (R-Oakland) are drawn into the new 12th district. Though, Miller could run in the new 15th district if incumbent Congressman Rodney Davis (R-Taylorville) chooses a race for Governor.
Congressman Darin LaHood (R-Peoria) and Kinzinger are drawn in the the sprawling new 16th district, which stretches from south of Bloomington-Normal to the northeast tip of the state where Illinois, Wisconsin, and Iowa converge. We’re told it’s unlikely Kinzinger and LaHood face off next year, though, as Kinzinger may choose to run in the neighboring 14th district against Democrat incumbent Lauren Underwood (D-Naperville) or choose a Senate race against incumbent Tammy Duckworth.
Democrats have three seats without incumbents they believe are drawn for a Democrat to win. The new 13th district snakes from the Metro East, including Belleville and East St. Louis to Springfield, Decatur, and Champaign-Urbana. Former Pritzker aide Nikki Budzinski has already announced plans to seek the seat. Rep. Carol Ammons’ (D-Urbana) name has also been floated.
The Quad Cities-based 17th district reaches out with “fingers” to grab much of Rockford, Peoria, and Bloomington-Normal. Congresswoman Cheri Bustos (D-Moline) is not seeking re-election. Sen. Steve Stadelman (D-Rockford) and Rep. Maurice West (D-Rockford) are considering the race. Republican Esther Joy King, who narrowly lost to Bustos in 2020, is expected to run again in 2022.
The new 3rd district, stretching from Chicago to the far western suburbs, is just under a majority of Latino voters, but likely to elect a Latino member. Chicago Alderman Gilbert Villegas (D-Chicago), Sen. Omar Aquino (D-Chicago), Sen. Cristina Pacione-Zayas (D-Chicago), and Sen. Karina Villa (D-West Chicago) have all been mentioned as possible candidates for the seat.
Reaction from lawmakers below:
Speaker Chris Welch:
“We approved a historic map that offers a new coalition district for minority representation. This is the type of work the people of our state deserve. I want to thank my colleagues in the House and Senate, as well as the numerous advocacy groups and grassroots organizations who helped us achieve these momentous victories."
Senator Jason Barickman (R-Bloomington):
“One thing that’s become clear throughout the legislative process is that Governor Pritzker and his allies have no interest in doing what is best for the people of Illinois. Governor Pritzker already broke his clear promise to voters when he signed two state legislative maps into law. Now as we’ve moved into the Congressional map process, Pritzker is not only going along with the gerrymandering process, he has been confirmed to be an active participant, through secret, closed-door meetings and backroom deals. The product of this broken process will take away choices from voters, further entrench politicians with extreme viewpoints, and disenfranchise people from one end of the state to the other.”
