TPMDC Dan Lipinski
2012 elections
Conservative Democratic Rep. Dan Lipinski Draws Big Money Primary Challenge
Rep. Dan Lipinski (D-IL)
Despite heated words in progressive circles during the health care vote, House Democrats who bucked the party last year and voted against the Affordable Care Act had little to fear from primary challengers. Until now: Dan Lipinski is facing a highly credible challenge in his Chicago district from the left that could put his health care vote front and center
John Atkinson, a health care activist and insurance executive, is laying the groundwork for a high-spending campaign, reports Politico. Atkinson has not formally announced a run, but calls health care his "threshold issue" and says that Lipinski's opposition to the ACA "caused me to open my eyes a little bit."
Atkinson opened some eyes of his own with a huge $535,000 fundraising quarter this year, the most of any Democratic challenger. $270,000 came out of his own pocket.
Lipinski, who is pro-life, voted against the final health care law because he felt its language on abortion wasn't sufficiently restrictive. He took office in 2005 after succeeding his father, Bill Lipinski, who held the seat for over two decades. The seat is solidly Democratic, voting 64% for President Obama in 2008, providing an opening for a progressive challenger.
PERMALINK | COMMENTS | RECOMMEND RECOMMEND (0)Topics: 2012 elections, Dan Lipinski, John Atkinson
Blue Dogs
Conservadems Try To Strip Pelosi's Power To Assign Committees
Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-CA)
Three of the conservative Democrats who've been grousing about Nancy Pelosi's bid to lead the party in the 112th Congress are trying meekly to strip her of some of the perks that come with being top dog -- like making committee assignments.
In a letter circulated to Democratic members this morning ahead of the Dems' leadership elections, Reps. Larry Kissell (D-NC), Jim Matheson (D-UT), and Dan Lipinski (D-IL), are trying build support for stripping Pelosi of the powers that come with being minority leader.
"In light of the significant losses our party suffered earlier this month, we believe it is imperative that today's organizational meeting should provide all Members the opportunity to openly debate the rules that will be proposed for the 112th Congress and offer amendments that they believe would improve the ability of the Caucus to develop and message a Democratic agenda, recruit candidates, and return Democrats to the majority in 2012," they write.
PERMALINK | COMMENTS | RECOMMEND RECOMMEND (0)Topics: Blue Dogs, Dan Lipinski, Democrats, Jim Matheson, Larry Kissell, Nancy Pelosi
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