Polling Average
30%25%20%15%10%5%0%
15.4%
23.5%
13.3%
7.1%
Democrat
Kat Abughazaleh
IL-09 Democratic nominee?
$1.1M
MAR 24, 2026Primary Election
Party selects its nominee.
Overview
Current roleJournalist
PartyDemocratic
Political ideologyProgressive Democrat
Age27 years old (Mar 24, 1999)
GenderFemale
Show moreShow less
LocationIllinois
BackgroundJournalist
EducationGeorge Washington University — B.A., International Affairs
Notable personal detailsKatherine Marie Abughazaleh, known professionally as Kat Abu, is an American journalist and digital video creator who has worked in political media and disinformation research. She has worked for Media Matters for America and as a video creator for outlets including Mother Jones and Zeteo. She is a Democratic candidate for U.S. House in Illinois’s 9th Congressional District (2026 cycle).
SourcesShowHide
fec.govchicago.suntimes.comen.wikipedia.orgwikidata.orglinkedin.comcommons.wikimedia.orgelections.il.govil9.orgdailyherald.comballotready.orgvote-usa.orggpb.orgreddit.comkpbs.orgillinoisfamily.orgthearabdailynews.comdelcopa.govstatic1.squarespace.comfilesforprogress.orgdcboe.orgwomencount.orgnews.wttw.comkatforillinois.comwindycitytimes.comfoxnews.comdailykos.comwashingtonpost.comnewsweek.comvoz.usarchive.phforeignpolicy.comtheguardian.comyahoo.comdcreport.orgthehill.comsubscriber.politicopro.comcbsnews.comnypost.comevanstonroundtable.comtheintercept.comcnn.comprospect.orgchicagotribune.comballotpedia.orgevanstonnow.comfacebook.cominstagram.comx.comdocquery.fec.govcreativecommons.orgupload.wikimedia.org
Positions
LiberalConservative
Economy & Taxes
Supports taxing the wealthy and expanding government programs including proposals such as a wealth tax, increased child tax credit, and Medicare for All; rejects corporate funding and emphasizes grassroots financing. Positions prioritize redistribution and expanded public spending to address economic inequality.
Healthcare
Supports universal health care and argues that everyone — including undocumented immigrants — deserves access to healthcare. Campaign materials note personal experience uninsured and prioritize making health care affordable and accessible as part of her platform.
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Immigration & Border
Supports an immediate pathway to citizenship for DREAMers and other undocumented immigrants, opposes mass deportations and internment camps, and seeks to increase refugee resettlement by removing caps and expanding legal immigration pathways. Emphasizes humanitarian framing of migration and calls for making legal immigration more accessible.
Abortion & Reproductive Rights
The candidate states that abortion access is essential to health care and lists reproductive rights as a campaign issue, aligning with progressive pro‑choice positions. The campaign frames reproductive rights as part of its platform of protections for constituents' access to care.
Climate & Energy
Endorses the Green New Deal and creation of a Civilian Climate Corps, calls for rapid transition to renewable energy with federal investment, increased FEMA and NOAA funding, and frames climate action as a racial and economic justice issue.
Public Safety & Guns
The candidate supports strong gun safety measures including an assault weapons ban modeled on Illinois law, comprehensive universal background checks, waiting periods, mandatory gun safety training, closing gun show and ghost-gun loopholes, and rejects arming educators as a solution. She has a history of organizing with Everytown for Gun Safety.
News
AINews Summary
Last updatedJul 15, 2026
Kat Abughazaleh lost the Democratic primary in Illinois' 9th Congressional District, with Daniel Biss winning the nomination. Her campaign had drawn attention for its progressive platform and endorsements from figures like Ilhan Omar and Rashida Tlaib. She is also still facing federal charges tied to a protest outside an immigration facility, which has remained part of the coverage around her race.
fec.gov+50
Articles
FNFox News4 months ago
Squad-backed Democrats lose Illinois primaries in progressive setback
Negative
TGThe Gateway Pundit4 months ago
Far-Left Ilinois Congressional Candidate Indicted for Impeding ICE Loses Primary
Negative
JIJoliet, IL Patch4 months ago
Daniel Biss Wins Democratic Primary In IL Congressional District 9
Neutral
NYNew York Post4 months ago
Ilhan Omar and Rashida Tlaib endorse Kat Abughazaleh for US House
Positive
Polls
IL-09 Democratic nominee?
Aggregation source: FiftyPlusOne
Endorsements
IL-09 Democratic nominee?
Endorsers of Kat Abughazaleh for IL-09 Democratic nominee?
Sunrise Movement
Public figure
Sunrise Movement endorsed Kat Abughazaleh for Congress in a Chicago-area district race.
Rashida Tlaib
Public figure
Rashida Tlaib endorsed Kat Abughazaleh in the Illinois House race.
Justice Democrats
Public figure
Justice Democrats endorsed Kat Abughazaleh in Illinois' 9th Congressional District race.
Progressive groups
Public endorsement
Progressive groups endorsed Kat Abughazaleh in the Democratic primary for Illinois' 9th Congressional District.
Ro Khanna
Public figure
Ro Khanna endorsed Kat Abughazaleh for Illinois' 9th Congressional District race.
Fundraising
Latest report: Cycle 2026Total raisedCash on hand
$4.1M
$3.1M
$2.0M
$1.0M
$0
2026
LatestYear
Total raised
Cash on hand
Total spent
Burn rate
Cycle 2026
$4.1M
$239.9K
$3.8M
$255.3K
Source: FEC