Lipinski Won't Debate In Public Setting

LA GRANGE, IL — U.S. Rep. Dan Lipinski is being challenged by one of his Democratic opponents to debate her in a public forum in his congressional district. This week, the League of Women Voters revealed Lipinski had not responded to its invitations to attend a Feb. 20 in Western Springs, where the congressman lives.

Marie Newman of La Grange, whom Lipinksi narrowed defeated in the 2018 Democratic primary, said she hoped the incumbent would reconsider his decision against debating in front of constituents.

"Voters in this district should have the opportunity to vet all of the candidates vying for their support," Newman said in a news release Friday. "We are more than happy to work around the congressman's calendar to reschedule."

Lipinski, who declined to endorse Barack Obama in his 2012 re-election, voted against the Affordable Care Act — better known as Obamacare — two years earlier. Newman, who bills herself as a progressive, questions Lipinski's positions on Obamacare, immigration and women's rights.

"If he can defend his record on those and other issues, we should schedule a debate when he can be in his district and face his constituents," she said in the release.

Earlier this week, a representative of the League of Women Voters told Patch that Lipinski's campaign had "ignored" the league's repeated inquiries about whether he would take part in the candidate forum. Patch then reached out to a campaign spokeswoman, who said scheduling issues prevented Lipinski from attending.

The spokeswoman, Sally Daly, said the candidates in the 3rd Congressional District's March 17 Democratic primary have already participated in forums at the Chicago Tribune and Chicago Sun-Times and planned to debate on PBS affiliate WTTW in Chicago. But so far, none of the events have been in the district. Daly did say a candidate debate is being planned on WJOL radio station in Joliet, which is in the 3rd District. A final date has not been set.

Daly told Patch on Friday that Lipinski is scheduled to meet with a group of first responders on the night of the league debate. None of the candidate debates have been held in a public setting where constituents can submit questions.

Newman's news release said Lipinski also declined to take part in a Feb. 8 candidate forum hosted by the Muslim American Society.

The other Democratic candidates in the primary are Rush Darwish and Charles Hughes. On the GOP side are Catherine O'Shea, Mike Fricilone and admitted Nazi Arthur Jones.

Lipinski was elected to Congress in 2004, succeeding his father, who served for two decades. The son has always prevailed with big margins, until Newman ran against him from the left in the 2018 Democratic primary. Lipiniski edged past her with 51 percent of the vote.