U.S. Rep. Marie Newman said Friday she will challenge fellow Democratic U.S. Rep. Sean Casten in next year’s primary election following the Illinois legislature’s redistricting of the state’s congressional boundaries.

       The map approved by Illinois Democrats early Friday placed Newman, a first-term member of Congress from LaGrange, into a district represented by U.S. Rep. Jesus “Chuy” Garcia of Chicago that is nearly 67% Latino.

       3rd District U.S. House Democratic candidate Marie Newman speaks during a Chicago Tribune editorial board meeting in Chicago on Jan. 21, 2020. (Antonio Perez / Chicago Tribune / Chicago Tribune)

       A previous version of the map had put Casten, a two-term member of Congress from Downers Grove, in a district Newman. But in the final map, Casten was placed in his own 6th District which includes parts of the eastern DuPage County suburbs and runs to Chicago’s southwest suburbs.

       Newman said she would seek reelection in a bid against Casten, noting 40% of the new district is from her current southwest suburban and Southwest Side 3rd District.

       “As someone born and raised on Chicago’s Southwest Side and a lifelong resident of its surrounding suburbs, fighting for workers, small businesses, and the middle-class in these communities is in my DNA, and that fight is not going to stop now,” Newman said in a statement.

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       “From Elmhurst to Orland Park, I’m looking forward to working with everyone to build a stronger, more equitable future for our residents of the new IL-06,” she said.

       Newman’s decision could set up a bitter suburban Democratic fight. In a statement after the final map was unveiled she sharply criticized Casten, though not by name.

       “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,” she said Thursday. “This map undoubtedly does not live up to what Illinois residents deserve.”

       Casten had said early Friday, after the map was approved, that he would seek reelection. After Newman’s announcement, Casten issued a statement saying, “I have never wanted to see friends run against friends.”

       “I believe the shared goal of every House member is to maintain and expand our House majority and work on behalf of all constituents and community members who fought tirelessly to elect us,” he said. “As I said last night, I look forward to continuing to serve the people of the 6th district as we work to make historic investments in climate action, and for families and workers.”

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