Her opponent, Lipinski, is one of the few House Democrats to oppose most abortions. He also opposed the Affordable Care Act and same-sex marriage, until the latter was legalized in 2015. Lipinski took the House seat over from his father in 2005.
Newman was born in Evergreen Park, Illinois and raised in the Southwest Side of Chicago. She attended Marquette University before transferring to the University of Wisconsin.
Newman has worked as a business consultant and ad agency partner in the past. A LinkedIn page for "Marie Newman & Associates" listed the company as a marketing and advertising agency founded in 2005 and based out of Chicago.
Her campaign page talks about an anti-bullying non-profit she started after one of children faced bullying.