Two-term Democratic U.S. Rep. Sean Casten of Downers Grove is being endorsed by suburban congressional colleagues Bill Foster and Brad Schneider in his primary bid for reelection against freshman Democratic U.S. Rep. Marie Newman of La Grange.
The backing of Foster, from Naperville, and Schneider, of Deerfield, marked some of the first endorsements from state delegation Democrats as Casten faces a challenge from Newman in a redrawn district. It’s the only matchup between congressional Democrats in the June primary since the map was drawn and approved by members of the party in the state legislature.
Joining Foster and Schneider in supporting Casten were 10 other Democratic members of Congress from outside Illinois, among them Maxine Waters of California, who chairs the House Financial Services Committee; Suzan DelBene of Washington, who chairs the New Democrat Coalition; Kathy Castor of Florida, who chairs the House Select Committee on the Climate Crisis; and Don McEachin of Virginia, the vice chair of the Sustainable Energy and Environmental Coalition.
Also backing Foster were Democratic U.S. Reps. Jared Huffman of California, Ed Perlmutter of Colorado, Tom Malinowski of New Jersey, Sylvia Garcia of Texas, Jahana Hayes of Connecticut and Derek Kilmer of Washington.
U.S. Rep. Sean Casten speaks at Harper College in Palatine on Oct. 29, 2021. (H. Rick Bamman / Pioneer Press)
The list includes representatives who are members of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, the Congressional Black Caucus and the Blue Dog Coalition, which represents the party’s centrist arm.
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“Ever since my first campaign, I’ve committed to run on my values and I’ve delivered real results. I’m honored to have the support from such a wide range of my colleagues, and I look forward to continuing to serve the people of the 6th District,” Casten said.
The newly drawn 6th District includes southwest suburbs of Chicago and swings northwest to cover portions of DuPage County.
Newman’s home was drawn into a heavily Latino district that also encompasses the home of U.S. Rep. Jesús “Chuy” García of Chicago. She opted to take on Casten in the June 28 primary. Members of Congress do not have to live within the districts they represent.
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Foster, who has represented the west and northwest suburban 11th District since 2013, said Casten “expertly threads the needle of being a global leader on climate change and fighting for local issues in his district.”
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Casten was previously endorsed by the DuPage County Building and Constructions Trades Council, which represents 29 local unions.
Newman’s endorsements include EMILY’s List and the National Women’s Political Caucus as well as the Service Employees International Union and 10 southwest suburban mayors.
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