Rep. Dan Lipinski (D-Ill.), a vocal critic of the nuclear deal with Iran, won a primary in Illinois Tuesday over fellow Democrat Marie Newman, a J Street-backed newcomer, The Times of Israel reported Wednesday.
Newman, who was little-known when she decided to challenge Lipinski, had the backing of Sen. Bernie Sanders (D – Vt.) and various activist groups. Lipinski defeated her by a margin of less than 2 percent.
Lipinski is one of the few Democrats to oppose the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), known commonly as the Iran nuclear deal. The representative is a steadfast supporter of Israel and has been praised by pro-Israel groups as a long-standing friend of the Jewish State.
Lipinski saw the advocacy group J Street join with the Newman campaign in a bid to unseat him.
In an email last week to its supporters titled “He’s with Trump on the Iran deal. She’s with us,” J Street said of Lipinksi, “If we can defeat him in the primary, it will send a strong message to other members as President Trump seeks Congress’ help in gutting the greatest diplomatic achievement in a generation.”
Lipinski noted, however, that their efforts to drive out Democrats with differing views undermines the Democratic Party and their efforts to represent their policies in Congress.
In expressing his disapproval of the JCPOA in 2015, the congressman said that “The Iran nuclear agreement should be judged based on what is best for the security of the United States – now and in the future – and what is more likely to produce peace rather than more conflict.”
He observed that “After careful consideration, I believe that we would have a better chance for peace by rejecting this deal, keeping our sanctions on Iran, and working to improve this agreement.” He added that while he had no interest to go to war with Iran “The JCPOA gives Iran too much, and requires them to give up too little. Over the short and long terms it is likely to make the United States and the world less secure and produce more conflict.”
The GOP nominee in Illinois was Arthur Jones, a self-proclaimed Nazi and Holocaust denier, who was the only Republican to file for the office after the Illinois Republican Party unsuccessfully tried to recruit a candidate.
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