Polling Average
30%25%20%15%10%5%0%
15.4%
23.5%
13.3%
7.1%
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
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LocationIllinois
BackgroundJournalist
Notable personal detailsKatherine “Kat” Abughazaleh is a journalist and social media creator who ran in the Democratic primary for the U.S. House seat in Illinois’s 9th congressional district in 2026. She has produced reporting and commentary focused on far-right media, disinformation, and political radicalization, and has worked as a video creator at Mother Jones. She was endorsed by Justice Democrats and finished second in the March 17, 2026 Democratic primary, behind Evanston mayor Daniel Biss.
SourcesShowHide
fec.goven.wikipedia.orgjusticedemocrats.comnews.wttw.comcommons.wikimedia.orgprospect.orgjns.orgaxios.comdataforprogress.orgcfpublic.orgtechcrunch.comcommondreams.orgvotehub.comelections.maricopa.govdauphincounty.govkalcounty.govfamousbirthdays.comchicagomag.comsemafor.comwomencount.orgkatforillinois.comwindycitytimes.comfoxnews.comdailykos.comwashingtonpost.comnewsweek.comvoz.usarchive.phforeignpolicy.comtheguardian.comyahoo.comdcreport.orgcbsnews.comballotready.orgbostonglobe.comwww-staging.washingtonpost.comvoterguide.ballotpedia.orgcha.house.govncsl.orgwikidata.orgdeveloper.ballotpedia.orgdocquery.fec.govcreativecommons.orgupload.wikimedia.orgcammack.house.govhouse.gov
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 updatedJun 12, 2026
Kat Abughazaleh ran in the Illinois 9th Congressional District Democratic primary and finished second to Daniel Biss. Her campaign drew attention for strong fundraising, progressive endorsements from Ilhan Omar and Rashida Tlaib, and heavy outside spending in the race. She was also linked to an ICE protest case, where prosecutors later dropped charges against four protesters after a judge raised concerns about prosecutorial conduct.
fec.gov+45
Articles
LLawfare21 days ago
R.I.P. Chicago Protester Prosecution (2025-2026)
Neutral
CSChicago Sun-Times2 months ago
DNC condemns dark money influence but avoids taking stance on AIPAC
Negative
FNFox News3 months ago
Squad-backed Democrats lose Illinois primaries in progressive setback
Negative
TGThe Gateway Pundit3 months ago
Far-Left Ilinois Congressional Candidate Indicted for Impeding ICE Loses Primary
Negative
Polls
IL-09 Democratic nominee?
Aggregation source: FiftyPlusOne
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
New updates coming soon
We're monitoring and will update when new data impacts the race.
- Endorsements