All articles tagged with #illinois 9th district
Kat Abughazaleh, a 26-year-old progressive challenger, lost the Illinois 9th District Democratic primary to Evanston Mayor Daniel Biss, who appears headed to Congress in a district that leans Democratic; Laura Fine finished behind them in a distant third.
Daniel Biss won the Democratic nomination to succeed retiring Rep. Jan Schakowsky in Illinois’ 9th District, leading with about 29.6% of the vote as 90% of ballots were counted, with Kat Abughazaleh at 25.6% and Laura Fine at 20.4% in a crowded 15-candidate field; Schakowsky endorsed Biss, highlighting a contest within the party between progressive and more moderate approaches.
In Illinois’ safely Democratic 9th District, Evanston Mayor Daniel Biss (Gen X) and 26-year-old Kat Abughazaleh lead a crowded Democratic primary to replace retiring Rep. Jan Schakowsky. The race is less about policy divergence and more about how far Democrats should shift from party norms, with Biss emphasizing experience and advocacy while Abughazaleh pushes a more radical, anti-establishment, pro‑mutual‑aid message that resonates with a younger base. The contest also touches on fundraising, donor influence, and Israel policy, including AIPAC-linked spending, as voters weigh generational change and leadership style ahead of the March 17, 2026 primary.