"Abughazaleh, a Gen-Z, bisexual former journalist and researcher who has examined right-wing extremism, was defeated by Evanston Mayor Daniel Biss, according to Decision Desk HQ, which called the race at 10:39 p.m. EDT. With 84.57 percent of the vote counted, Biss was leading, earning 29.61 percent. Abughazaleh got 25.61 percent, and Laura Fine received 20.35 percent."
"Her campaign drew national attention for its focus on universal rights and for her legal battle with the Trump administration. In October 2025, the Justice Department indicted Abughazaleh and five others on charges tied to a protest outside an Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility in suburban Chicago. Abughazaleh has pleaded not guilty, and the case is ongoing."
"She entered the race with a national following built through her reporting on conservative media and extremist movements. The race was the first open contest in the North Shore-based district in decades following the retirement of longtime Democratic Rep. Jan Schakowsky."
Evanston Mayor Daniel Biss defeated Kat Abughazaleh in the Illinois 9th Congressional District Democratic primary, with Biss earning 29.61 percent of the vote compared to Abughazaleh's 25.61 percent. Abughazaleh, a Gen-Z bisexual former journalist and researcher focused on right-wing extremism, had drawn national attention for her campaign emphasizing universal rights and her legal battle with the Trump administration. She faced federal indictment in October 2025 alongside five others on charges related to a protest outside an ICE facility. Biss, positioned as a policy-focused progressive, has supported LGBTQ+ rights in office. The race marked the first open contest in the North Shore-based district in decades following longtime Democratic Rep. Jan Schakowsky's retirement.
#congressional-primary #illinois-politics #democratic-primary #federal-indictment #lgbtq-representation
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