‘A breath of fresh air’: Years after losing to Casten, ex-Rep. Marie Newman backs his latest challenger

Nearly four years after being defeated by U.S. Rep. Sean Casten in the Democratic primary for the then-newly redrawn 6th District, former U.S. Rep. Marie Newman has endorsed Casten’s latest opponent.

Late last week, Newman publicly backed political newcomer Joey Ruzevich of Chicago in the 2026 Democratic primary in the 6th District, which encompasses parts of Cook and DuPage counties.

In a news release from the Ruzevich campaign, Newman called the political newcomer “a breath of fresh air.”

“I’m thrilled to support an outstanding candidate like Joey,” Newman said. “Joey offers real solutions that actually work in everyday life focused on the cost of living, health care and ending corruption.”

Newman was a featured speaker at a fundraiser for the Ruzevich campaign Friday night in Bridgeview, too.

In his news release, Ruzevich said he’s “honored and humbled” to have the former lawmaker’s support.

“Marie has always been a strong voice for working families, small businesses, and human rights,” said Ruzevich, a software engineer. “Her leadership and integrity represent exactly the kind of politics we need right now.”

The Casten campaign declined to comment on the endorsement. His campaign website includes dozens of endorsements from the 2024 and 2022 elections but nothing yet for 2026.

Newman represented the 3rd District for one term, from 2021 to 2023, before the Illinois General Assembly redrew the congressional map as a result of population changes in 2020 U.S. Census. Redistricting put her home in the 4th District, served by U.S. Rep. Jesus “Chuy” Garcia, and she chose to take on Casten instead.

Congressional representatives don’t have to live in the districts they serve.

It was Illinois’ only Democratic congressional primary involving two incumbents and one of the few in the nation that year. Casten, of Downers Grove, went on to defeat Republican Keith Pekau of Orland Park to retain his congressional post.

The faceoff with Newman wasn’t Casten’s last primary fight. He defeated Democratic challenger Mahnoor Ahmad of Oakbrook Terrace in 2024 before knocking off Glen Ellyn Republican Niki Conforti in the general election. Conforti and Skylar Duensing of Shorewood are running for the GOP nomination in 2026.

One high-profile issue on which Newman and Ruzevich are aligned is the conflict between Israel and Palestinians in Gaza. Both have been vocal supporters of the Palestinian people.

The 6th District is home to one of America's largest Palestinian communities. Much of that real estate used to be in the 3rd District before the boundaries were redrawn.

In an email over the weekend, Ruzevich characterized the situation in Gaza not as a religious conflict but as “a land stealing political operation.” He called Israel “an apartheid state committing a genocide fully funded by American tax dollars.”

Lawmakers visit ICE facility

Four members of the Chicago-area congressional delegation inspected the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility in Broadview on Monday — and they weren’t happy with what they saw.

After multiple failed attempts, U.S. Reps. Delia Ramirez, Jesus “Chuy” Garcia, Danny Davis and Jonathan Jackson were granted an oversight visit, a right that was upheld by a federal court last week despite restrictions enacted by the Trump administration.

At a news conference after the visit Ramirez, whose 3rd District encompasses parts of suburban Cook and DuPage counties and some Chicago neighborhoods, called conditions inside the facility “inhumane.” Arrestees have no privacy, no on-site access to medical or mental-health facilities, she said.

Arrestees don’t have access to medication if they didn’t have it with them when they were picked up, Ramirez said.

Lawmakers have argued that inspections are needed to monitor conditions and enforcement practices in such facilities.

An ICE spokesperson couldn’t be reached for a response.

Only a few arrestees were in the facility when the lawmakers visited, Ramirez said. They will return to see what conditions are like when more people are in custody, she said.

Democratic U.S. Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi of Schaumburg made a similar inspection late last week. Democratic U.S. Rep. Lauren Underwood of Naperville inspected the facility in November.

• Political Roundabout is an occasional column on campaign, legislative and political news with a suburban focus.