Polling Average
30%25%20%15%10%5%0%
15.4%
23.5%
13.3%
7.1%
IL-09 Democratic nominee?
$515.0K
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
EducationGeorge Washington University
Notable personal detailsKatherine Marie Abughazaleh, known professionally as Kat Abu, is an American journalist and social media creator who worked as a researcher and video producer at Media Matters for America and published writing in outlets including Mother Jones and The New Republic. She ran as a Democrat in the 2026 Democratic primary for the U.S. House in Illinois’ 9th Congressional District. She is Palestinian American and is originally from Dallas, Texas.
SourcesShowHide
fec.govdocquery.fec.goven.wikipedia.orgjusticedemocrats.comshawlocal.comvotehub.comdailyherald.comjta.orgwindycitytimes.comnews.wttw.comaxios.comchicago.suntimes.comactionnetwork.orgwbez.orgnakasecactionfund.orgapnews.comreddit.comstatic1.squarespace.comwomencount.orgkatforillinois.comfoxnews.comdailykos.comwashingtonpost.comnewsweek.comvoz.usarchive.phforeignpolicy.comtheguardian.comyahoo.comdcreport.orgdeveloper.ballotpedia.orglegislation.ballotpedia.orgvoterguide.ballotpedia.orgfrontpage.ballotpedia.orgcdn.ballotpedia.orgwikidata.orgballotready.orgcammack.house.govdemocrats-energycommerce.house.govcommons.wikimedia.orgcreativecommons.orgupload.wikimedia.orgcha.house.govncsl.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 updatedMar 14, 2026
Kat Abughazaleh is running in the crowded Democratic primary for Illinois’s 9th Congressional District to replace retiring Rep. Jan Schakowsky, with the March 17 primary approaching. Recent coverage has framed her as a notable contender alongside Daniel Biss and Laura Fine, with some reporting placing her in third behind them. She has picked up endorsements from progressive groups including Justice Democrats, positioning her campaign against outside spending tied to AIPAC and emphasizing policies like Medicare for All and opposition to U.S. military support for Israel.
fec.gov+43
Articles
CTChicago Tribune3 months ago
Big money, national issues fuel Illinois 9th district Dem primary
Neutral
TIThe Intercept4 months ago
Kat Abughazaleh Scores Endorsements to Counter Illinois AIPAC Cash
Positive
SLShaw Local Enewspapers4 months ago
More than $12M pouring into 9th Congressional District race
Positive
CSChicago Sun-Times4 months ago
Federal prosecutors fear tainted jury pool if public sees evidence in Broadview Six conspiracy case
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