Washington D.C. — Progressive activist and former Media Matters journalist Kat Abughazaleh has lost her bid for the Democratic nomination in Illinois’ 9th Congressional District.
Abughazaleh was one of 15 candidates competing to replace retiring Rep. Jan Schakowsky, who served nearly three decades in Congress. The district is heavily Democratic, making the primary the decisive contest for the seat.
Daniel Biss, who campaigned on a more traditional Democratic platform, won the nomination. Abughazaleh positioned her campaign as a challenge to the party’s establishment, emphasizing a younger, digital-focused approach.
Abughazaleh, 26, gained national attention in left-wing circles through her online presence and advocacy. She framed her campaign as an alternative to entrenched political structures, promoting it as “a new type of Democratic campaign.” She stated that the campaign was not for right-wing billionaires or members of the Democratic consultant class.
The results indicate that voters in the district favored a more conventional candidate with established political experience and local ties. During the campaign, Abughazaleh drew attention for distancing herself from party leadership. In a debate, she said she did not support Hakeem Jeffries continuing in his role, a position that resonated with some progressive activists but raised concerns among Democrats focused on party unity ahead of the midterm elections.
Abughazaleh’s campaign also faced scrutiny following a federal indictment late last year related to an incident involving demonstrators and a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement vehicle outside a suburban Chicago facility. The case became a point of contention in the competitive primary.
In contrast, Biss largely avoided public intraparty disputes and received the endorsement of Schakowsky, which provided support among established Democratic voters in the district. With the primary concluded, Biss is considered the leading candidate heading into the general election in a district that has consistently elected Democrats.
Abughazaleh stands accused of repeatedly standing in front of federal vehicles and interfering with ICE agents during protests outside the agency’s Broadview, Ill., detention facility. She was one of six individuals charged in connection with the demonstrations, which had continued for several weeks.
The indictment alleges that Abughazaleh “physically hindered and impeded” an agent who was forced to drive at an extremely slow speed to avoid injuring any of the protesters. Abughazaleh was charged along with five other individuals involved in the protests, including two other political candidates.
The Broadview ICE facility has been the site of repeated demonstrations and clashes involving far-left activists. Several Democratic candidates for the open House seat, including Evanston Mayor Daniel Biss and Abughazaleh, have recorded themselves participating in protests that involved blocking ICE vehicles.
Other demonstrators engaged in more aggressive actions, including throwing rocks at federal vehicles, slashing tires, and confronting agents. Federal officers responded with crowd-control measures such as pepper spray, tear gas, and rubber bullets.
In a video posted on X, Abughazaleh spoke about how she and other protesters obstructed a moving ICE vehicle. The indictment includes one count of conspiracy and a second charge alleging that she forcibly impeded, intimidated, and interfered with a federal agent in the performance of official duties.
