Daniel Biss Wins Illinois 9th District Primary

Evanston Mayor Daniel Biss secured victory in Illinois' 9th Congressional District Democratic primary.

“Daniel Biss, the mayor of Evanston and a former Illinois state representative and senator, narrowly defeated Gen-Z candidate Kat Abughazaleh in Tuesday’s Democratic primary for Illinois’ 9th Congressional District, emerging from a race that tested generational divides inside one of the country’s most reliably blue seats”

Advocate

Biss captured approximately 29.6% of the vote with 91% of ballots counted.

Advocate

He narrowly defeated progressive content creator Kat Abughazaleh who received just under 26% support.

State Sen. Laura Fine finished third in a crowded field of candidates.

The district is considered safely Democratic with Schakowsky having won 68% of the vote in 2024.

The district represents a significant political bellwether that has been represented by the same congresswoman since 1999.

Biss's victory comes amid intense outside spending and ideological battles that have defined this primary cycle.

The race serves as a test case for Democratic Party direction heading into the 2026 elections.

The race was defined by unprecedented outside spending.

Pro-Israel groups and other special interests invested millions to influence the outcome.

Crain's Chicago Business

AIPAC and its affiliated super PACs spent over $7 million to influence the primary.

Elect Chicago Women spent nearly $1.5 million to oppose Biss and over $4 million to boost Fine.

Anonymous groups popped up in the final six weeks without disclosing their funding sources.

These groups spent more than $16 million across the four Chicago-area House districts.

Biss acknowledged that AIPAC 'spent an unbelievable amount of money — over $7 million — to try to buy this seat.'

Despite the financial onslaught, progressive candidates successfully mobilized supporters against big money.

The primary featured three main candidates with distinct ideological positions and backgrounds.

“UPDATE: In one of the most closely watched races of the primary cycle, Evanston Mayor Daniel Biss is projected to win the 9th district’s Congressional primary, according to NBC News”

NBC 5 Chicago

Biss, a 48-year-old former math professor with a PhD from MIT, brought extensive political experience.

He served eight years in the Illinois legislature and ran unsuccessfully for governor in 2018.

Biss became Evanston mayor in 2021 and positioned himself as a tested progressive.

He focused on protections for abortion access, LGBTQ+ youth, and retirement savings options.

Abughazaleh, a 26-year-old Palestinian-American progressive researcher, ran on an anti-establishment message.

She argued that Democrats have failed to deliver tangible results and need to scrap longtime party norms.

Abughazaleh received endorsements from 'Squad' Reps. Ilhan Omar and Rashida Tlaib, and Rep. Ro Khanna.

Fine was the more moderate candidate who benefited from AIPAC's financial support.

She had backing from the party establishment including Schakowsky's endorsement but finished third.

The results triggered immediate reactions from candidates and interest groups.

Each side claimed different interpretations of the outcome.

NBC Chicago

AIPAC expressed disappointment that Fine did not prevail but claimed victory in defeating 'two anti-Israel candidates.'

AIPAC highlighted Abughazaleh's defeat in a post on X, stating they were 'especially proud to help defeat Abughazaleh.'

Biss responded to AIPAC's statement with a simple 'Cope' on X.

In his victory speech, Biss declared 'AIPAC found out the hard way: The 9th District is not for sale.'

The progressive group J Street framed the results as a rejection of AIPAC's influence.

J Street had bundled more than $200,000 for Biss's campaign while an affiliated super PAC spent $150,000.

J Street President Jeremy Ben-Ami stated voters rejected AIPAC's effort to 'stamp out opposition to Netanyahu's policies.'

Biss's victory carries significant implications for both the November general election and Democratic Party strategy.

“Evanston Mayor Daniel Biss has won the contested Democratic primary in Illinois' 9th Congressional District, part of a split decision Tuesday night for progressives and moderates who fought furiously across four Chicago-area House districts over a number of issues, including Israel policy”

NBC News

As the nominee in a safely Democratic district, Biss is expected to handily win the general election.

NBC News

He will face Republican Pastor John Elleson, who secured 48.5% of the vote in his primary.

The race serves as a bellwether for Democratic Party dynamics.

It highlights tensions between progressive voices and establishment support.

It also demonstrates the role of outside money in elections.

Biss's ability to overcome AIPAC spending while maintaining progressive credentials suggests a middle path.

His victory speech emphasized accepting 'nuance' and 'contradictory-sounding priorities.'

The results highlight ongoing tensions over Israel policy within the Democratic Party.

Biss represents a more moderate position compared to Abughazaleh's harder line on Palestinian rights.