Evanston Mayor Daniel Biss Defeats Kat Abughazaleh in Illinois 9th Congressional District Democratic Primary

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

Biss narrowly defeated progressive influencer Kat Abughazaleh in one of the most closely watched races of the primary cycle.

Advocate

Biss won with approximately 29.5% of the vote, while Abughazaleh finished with about 26%, and state Sen. Laura Fine came in third.

The race attracted significant national attention as 15 Democratic candidates competed to replace retiring Rep. Jan Schakowsky.

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

Biss's victory sets him up to potentially win the Congressional seat in the November election on November 3.

The race was largely defined by deep divisions within the Democratic Party over Israel policy.

Abughazaleh took a sharply critical stance against Israel's military campaign in Gaza.

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Abughazaleh, who is Palestinian American, has criticized Israel's war efforts as genocide.

She called for an end to all military aid to Israel, positions that put her at odds with more moderate Democrats.

Biss also opposed unconditional aid to Israel, though he took a more measured approach.

The race highlighted a broader national divide within the party as Democratic voters' views of Israel have become more negative.

NBC polling found only 13% of Democrats view Israel positively compared to 34% in a similar 2023 poll.

Outside spending played a pivotal role in the race.

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Crain's Chicago Business

Groups affiliated with the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) spent more than $4 million.

The pro-Israel lobbying group targeted both Biss and Abughazaleh while supporting Fine.

AIPAC-aligned super PAC Elect Chicago Women spent $2.8 million to boost Fine and $1.3 million to oppose Biss.

Another AIPAC-affiliated group, Chicago Progressive Partnership, spent approximately $165,500 to oppose Abughazaleh.

The massive spending highlighted AIPAC's continued influence over Democratic politics.

Biss actively campaigned against the outside influence, rejecting AIPAC's money.

He declared the district 'made its voice heard loud and clear by rejecting AIPAC's money and electing a true progressive fighter.'

The race pitted established Democratic figures against newer progressive voices.

Biss enjoyed endorsements from party leadership while Abughazaleh garnered support from the party's progressive wing.

NBC 5 Chicago

Biss received endorsements from retiring Rep. Jan Schakowsky, Sen. Elizabeth Warren, and the Congressional Progressive Caucus.

He positioned himself as a pragmatic progressive with experience in elected office.

His political career began in the Illinois House, then state Senate in 2012, and he ran unsuccessfully for governor in 2018.

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

She argued that Democrats have failed to deliver tangible results for voters.

She received backing from progressive 'Squad' members including Reps. Ilhan Omar and Rashida Tlaib, as well as Rep. Ro Khanna.

The campaign was not without controversy, as both candidates faced scrutiny during the closing days.

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NBC 5 Chicago

Biss acknowledged having an 'inappropriate romantic relationship' with a former student while working at the University of Chicago in 2004.

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He was 26 and the student was 20 at the time of the relationship.

The campaign stated that 'Daniel realized then, as he does now, that it was ill-advised, and he ended it.'

Meanwhile, Abughazaleh faced criticism over revelations that she grew up in a $3.3 million Dallas mansion.

Despite frequently portraying herself as coming from humble origins.

When asked about her background, she responded with the question 'Am I poor?'

The race also saw Abughazaleh achieve minor online infamy for a series of stunts.

Including getting arrested and charged with conspiracy to impede ICE vehicles during a September 2025 demonstration.

Biss's victory carries significant implications for the November general election.

Given the district's reliably blue leanings, Biss is seen as the heavy favorite to win in November.

He will face Republican Pastor John Elleson, who secured the GOP nomination with 48.5% of the vote.

The race results serve as an early indication of what Democratic voters are looking for from party leaders.

They show how much change voters feel is needed when the party is shut out of power in Washington.

Biss represents continuity with the party's establishment.

His ability to overcome significant outside spending suggests Democratic voters may increasingly resist big money influence.

The American Israel Public Affairs Committee announced its disappointment that Fine 'did not prevail'.

The group claimed voters still 'rejected two anti-Israel candidates', signaling the progressive-pro-Israel divide will continue.