Kat Abughazaleh

Kat Abughazaleh (Democratic Party) is running for election to the U.S. House to represent Illinois' 9th Congressional District. She declared candidacy for the Democratic primary scheduled on March 17, 2026.^[source]

Abughazaleh completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2025. Click here to read the survey answers.

Biography

Kat Abughazaleh was born in Dallas, Texas. She earned a bachelor's degree from George Washington University in 2020. Her career experience includes working in journalism.^[1]

Elections

2026

General election

The primary will occur on March 17, 2026. The general election will occur on November 3, 2026. Additional general election candidates will be added here following the primary.

General election for U.S. House Illinois District 9

Delila Barrera is running in the general election for U.S. House Illinois District 9 on November 3, 2026.

		Candidate
	Submit photo	Delila Barrera (Independent)

	There are no incumbents in this race.
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Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for U.S. House Illinois District 9

The following candidates are running in the Democratic primary for U.S. House Illinois District 9 on March 17, 2026.

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined.
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

Miracle Jenkins (D)
Jan Schakowsky (D)

Republican primary election

Republican primary for U.S. House Illinois District 9

Rocio Cleveland and Mark Su are running in the Republican primary for U.S. House Illinois District 9 on March 17, 2026.

		Candidate
		Rocio Cleveland
		Mark Su

	There are no incumbents in this race.
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Endorsements

Abughazaleh received the following endorsements. To send us additional endorsements, click here.

U.S. Rep. Ro Khanna (D)

Campaign themes

2026

Ballotpedia survey responses

Kat Abughazaleh completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2025. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Abughazaleh's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.

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Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

My name is Kat Abughazaleh. I'm a researcher and journalist who has devoted my career to fighting the far-right. I've worked for outlets like Media Matters, Mother Jones, and Zeteo News, but I'm probably best known for my video explainers about Fox News and right-wing media on my personal social media accounts.

I decided to run for Congress because I don't think Democrats are doing enough to stand against fascism, to make billionaires pay their fair share, and to protect the working class. And unfortunately, our leadership in the House of Representatives refuses to acknowledge the true impact that the far-right, the Internet, and working class struggles have on our country — and that's part of the reason Democrats keep losing elections.

I'm trying to run a progressive grassroots campaign that I can be proud of. I'm not taking a cent of corporate cash and I'm trying to spend our money in ways that help people now, rather than waiting to make a difference in my community until I'm elected. By making our events engaging, centered around mutual aid, and accessible to everyone no matter their income, my campaign is showing our values rather than providing lip service with nothing to show for it.

In my spare time, I like reading space operas, doing crafts like embroidery and knitting with my friends, and hanging out with my partner, Ben, and our cat, Heater.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

ANTI-AUTHORITARIANISM
Donald Trump, tech billionaires, and the Republican Party have banded together to break this country. Their vision is fascist, one of a militarized country where only a few dozen rich men have a seat at the table. We will not and cannot let them win.
The Democratic strategy of cowering to this administration is not only morally reprehensible but it also won't work. Every authoritarian movement has shown us the only way to stand up to fascism is loudly, proudly, and every single day.
I have been doing that for my entire career thus far, and I won't stop in Congress. I will speak out, use what I have to slow this administration wherever possible. And I will make sure my constituents know they are not alone.
BASIC EXISTENCE My bold vision is that every American should be able to afford housing, healthcare, and groceries with money left over to save and spend (crazy, right?). This should be the lowest bar possible and it is for many of our peer countries. But in the United States, that idea is considered by many, particularly the richest and most powerful, to be a pipe dream. Our existence isn't merely a means of profit for the richest people in society. These ideas shouldn't be controversial and are at the very core of my campaign. We're often told that it's a lot more complicated than we think but it doesn't have to be. We deserve to thrive, not just survive — and every political leader should work towards that goal.
DEMOCRATIC REFORM Our democracy is broken. Our current system functions too much on greed, rewards stagnation, and disincentivizes change. That's why we need a serious overhaul of our electoral system. We must overturn the Supreme Court's egregious Citizens United ruling and depoliticize the Court by instituting a binding code of ethics and 18-year term limits. Congress also must be overhauled. We need to talk seriously about multi-member districts, expanding the House, and ranked-choice voting, as well as federal rules against gerrymandering. And as soon as possible, there must be a federal ban on members of Congress trading individual stocks, regulations against lobbying after leaving office, and enforcement of both.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Public policy should be about helping others and I'm particularly passionate and interested about policies that serve communities to the fullest extent they can: climate action that also provides jobs and public transportation, reproductive care access that ensures we also research and decrease our maternal mortality rates, educational funding that allows our students of all levels to succeed and thrive while also feeding them. There are so many avenues we can take to make this country better, and the best part is that, when done correctly, many of them have greater impacts than anyone expected in the first place.

Is there a book, essay, film, or something else you would recommend to someone who wants to understand your political philosophy?

I'd point to Parable of the Sower by Octavia Butler. Beyond being an incredible book about the worst conditions — conditions we might face as climate change accelerates and governments abandon the most vulnerable in society — it also revolves around hope, specifically hope rooted in change.

The first verse from the Earthseed philosophy outlined in Parable of the Sower is written in the front of my planner: "All that you touch / You Change. / All that you Change / Changes you. / The only lasting truth / Is Change."

Life can be hard. Circumstances can be unfair. But the world will change for better or for worse, whether we want it to or not. And it's our responsibility to not only welcome but also usher in change to make a world we want to see.

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

Empathy and dedication. If you're asking to represent people, it is your responsibility to take your job seriously even when it is difficult. Empathy is a muscle you have to continually flex to maintain. That means returning to your district as often as you can, talking to as many of your constituents as you can (and not just the ones who donate), and reminding yourself that your elected office is a job and a privilege, not something you are entitled to.

What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?

I'm very firm in following my own moral code, even to my own detriment — personally or financially. I've always struggled to understand how politicians are willing to compromise their beliefs, especially when it comes to others' basic dignity. It's the wrong thing to do, but also... it's just embarrassing. Have some dignity, man.

What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?

Elected officials have a responsibility to ensure they are representing their constituents, even the ones who didn't vote for them. This doesn't mean compromising your own values or compromising on every basic premise. But it does mean defending your district, ensuring constituent services are receptive and accessible, ensuring that you communicate as transparently and effectively as possible, and working tirelessly to find common ground among your community. This means being open about your beliefs and your campaign's finances, answering questions and not shying away from criticism, and actually showing up to your job — the thing you were elected to do.

What legacy would you like to leave?

I hope that by the end of my life, I have helped others find their voice and power. I think the best thing you can do as a human being is uplift others to the point that they accomplish even bigger and better things than you. We all have our own experiences that shape us and we all think about the world in different ways. How cool would it be to see someone propose and enact solutions that you never even imagined?

What was your very first job? How long did you have it?

I was worked as a bartender in college. I worked from open to close six days a week and continued bartending on the weekends even after I started working at Media Matters. Frankly, I've learned more from bartending than any other job I've ever had: social skills, team-building, time management, conflict de-escalation, and so much more. If everyone worked in the service industry for just a few months, I think we'd all be a lot nicer to each other and more considerate of the struggles other people face.

What is your favorite book? Why?

I already wrote something about Parable of the Sower in my responses here so I'll pick Clan of the Cave Bear by Jean M. Auel. It was the first book I ever read from my parents' library at home and opened my eyes to complex themes I had never considered. As an adult, I recognize and appreciate how my parents encouraged me to read anything I wanted, even books that some might consider "too mature" for children. Literature is the best way for kids and adolescents to learn about difficult and harsh realities in a safe way. When I read about Ayla's struggles with discrimination, communication, and violence in prehistoric Europe, I sat down with my mother and we talked about them as equals, even though I was around 11-years-old. Because of that, I felt more informed growing up in the world, like I had a better understanding of events around me and issues I may face as a young woman. I can't thank my mom enough for that.

Also the amount of research Auel did for that book pre-Internet always impresses me. And if you read it, I bet you'll feel the same way.

What was the last song that got stuck in your head?

Sir Duke by Stevie Wonder

What is something that has been a struggle in your life?

I have narcolepsy (Type 2), a condition where the brain fails to make a normal amount hypocretin, the chemical that keeps you awake. Throughout high school, I was known for falling asleep in class and, when called on by teachers, able to jolt up, answer a question correctly, and then immediately fall back asleep. I wasn't diagnosed until I was 18, after my car was totaled when I fell asleep at a red light. That diagnosis changed my life as I finally understood why I was so tired and could be medicated for it.

My quality of life has improved drastically since my diagnosis but that also brings its own set of challenges. Navigating our medical and pharmaceutical system with chronic illness is more difficult than I expected and accepting my own limitations has also been a specific type of struggle. Once I was able to make my own schedule after college, I began listening to my body more, learning how I could balance daily life with sleep and how to forgive myself for rough days.

Around half of Americans have some type of chronic illness and many of us can't always afford to get the care and treatment we need. I want to see a country where everyone can have the fortunate experiences I did: the ability to get diagnosed, to get treatment, and to live in a world where your strengths and weaknesses, your capabilities and limitations are not only embraced but accommodated.

What qualities does the U.S. House of Representatives possess that makes it unique as an institution?

Unfortunately, most of the unique qualities of the House of Representatives are to its detriment. Partisan gerrymandering runs rampant across the country and has caused the House to lose credibility as an institution and harms Americans who are not being represented as they should. The size of the House is also arbitrarily capped at 435 members, despite our country growing exponentially. This means that elected officials are expected to serve the needs of hundreds of thousands of people across their districts with that number growing every year. Voters deserve national conversations about the benefits and possible disadvantages of House expansion and multi-member districts.

The idea behind the House of Representatives — to allot representation proportionately and geographically — is admirable and can still be achieved with proper and effective democratic reforms. But we need to have those conversations and take action to ensure that American democracy is the best it can be.

Do you believe that it's beneficial for representatives to have previous experience in government or politics?

Government or political experience can be beneficial but we also need our legislators to have a variety of different backgrounds and experiences. If everyone is just a politician or just a lawyer or business owner, many issues Americans face become to easily overlooked or abstracted. To properly lead such a diverse country, we need a diverse House and Senate with different experiences that reflect that American experience. I'm proud of my experience fighting the far-right and holding their feet to the fire as they stand against the values most Americans hold dear.

Government experience can also be a disadvantage. People can become too easily corrupted or complicit in corrupt systems. Likewise, the ivory tower mindset that many people who serve as legislators develop makes them more disconnected from the real issues that people face day-to-day. I'm a former journalist, student, and service worker and those three experiences equip me as well as anyone else to serve in the House of Representatives.

What do you perceive to be the United States’ greatest challenges as a nation over the next decade?

Inequality is being exacerbated by some of the most systemic issues in our society right now: lack of accountability for the ultra-rich, climate change, and the right-wing effort to dismantle our social services. If we want to make any progress, we have to address the root of that inequality. We have to acknowledge that prices have risen while wages have stagnated. We have to acknowledge that most people cannot afford a $1,000 emergency expense, much less a home. We have to acknowledge that while solutions might not be easy or fast, we need to strive towards them to not only ensure a better present but a better future as well.

The rise of authoritarianism isn't unique to the United States and Trump's unraveling of a decades-old (if admitted flawed) global order puts Americans and the rest of the world at significant risk of economic turmoil, undoable damage to the climate, and even all-out war.

Do you believe that two years is the right term length for representatives?

No. House terms should be four years as the current two-year length results in many representatives focusing more on their own job security and reelection prospects rather than the job they were elected to do. If House terms were four years, representatives would have more time to focus on actual representation instead of campaign concerns like fundraising. Longer terms would also allow representatives to cast morally upstanding votes instead of being concerned about how special interests will impact an election that's just around the corner.

What are your thoughts on term limits?

I personally support the idea of term limits and have committed to not serving more than five terms in the House if elected. But I do understand the arguments against them, especially (1) that they could eliminate lawmakers' ability to build policymaking experience and (2) encourage corruption from lawmakers who get in to make money instead of pursuing a career in public service. I'd also consider the option of upper age limits for elected officials, just as we have lower age limits for the House, Senate, and presidency. Similarly, I understand the argument against age limits because of concerns of ageism and depriving voters of democratic options. These are just a few suggestions on how we can ensure that our leadership doesn't stagnate. We live in a fluid and dynamic world, especially now, and we need a legislative body that reflects that. The national discourse should continue to uplift and discuss conversations like these about how to make our government work best for all Americans.

Tell us your favorite joke.

The American government.

Do you believe that compromise is necessary or desirable for policymaking?

Yes, compromise can be necessary, but I feel like many of our lawmakers — and in particular, Democrats — forget that compromise means that both sides have to make a sacrifice and both sides should get something out of the end result. Even more importantly, too many politicians are willing to compromise on what counts as basic human dignity. In a perfect world, we'd all agree on every solution, but that's not reality. We have to work through problems to find common ground, but that should only happen when we're working from the premise that everyone deserves rights, safety, and the ability to comfortably afford housing, groceries, and healthcare, no matter their income, race, gender, sexuality, background, or any other demographic. We simply cannot compromise on that fact.

The Constitution says that all bills for raising revenue must originate in the House. What role would this power play in your priorities if elected?

We need a budget that prioritizes Americans’ needs and wants ahead of those of special interests. Every American should be able to afford housing, groceries, and healthcare with money left over to spend and save. While almost every voter would agree with that sentiment, corporate lobbying exists to stop that idea from becoming reality.

In the House, I intend to advocate for budgets that put Americans first: their health, their livelihoods, their families, and the services and institutions in our government that benefit real people rather than corporate profits.

How should the U.S. House use its investigative powers?

First and foremost, House investigative powers need to hold the Executive Branch accountable. Our checks and balances exist for a reason and while Donald Trump is pushing them to their limits, House members need to remember that the legislative branch is supposed to be one of three equal parts of our government, not a submissive B-team beholden to the whims of the president.

Second, the United States dispenses billions of dollars to foreign countries and entities and much of that money is misused or never accounted for to begin with. The House needs to ensure American money abroad is not only spent responsibly but also as a net good to the world and our country. With any foreign aid, a certain level of loss and misuse can be expected but that doesn’t excuse the House from working to mitigate those risks. Likewise, the House must ensure that all foreign military aid is being used in compliance with American laws like the Leahy Act.

Third and finally, House investigative powers have been abused for decades, used — particularly by the Republican Party — to carry water for fake scandals and culture war bullshit. Just because someone is elected to the House does not mean it’s permissible to push hateful and inaccurate narratives for political purposes. There need to be protocols to remove investigative powers from those who abuse them.

What committees interest you?

The committees I’m most interested in if elected are the Oversight, Ethics, and Foreign Affairs Committees.

We need more accountability in our political system and be able to develop new protocols to ensure that accountability. Oversight provides a useful tool to hold the executive branch and its agencies accountable. Additionally, I would use my position on the Oversight Committee to draw attention to the Trump administration’s active harms to Americans and my constituents.

In the Ethics Committee, I would work tirelessly to hold other members of Congress and myself accountable not to our bank accounts but the American people. If we want Congress to work, we have to make sure that elections and politics are about advocating for popular policies, not catering to the highest corporate bidder. Likewise, members of Congress should not be able to trade individual stocks and on the Ethics Committee, I would push for regulations and codes that would curb this corrupt behavior.

As for Foreign Affairs, our foreign policy track record shows that when the US steps into foreign wars or geopolitical power vacuums, especially in Central America and the Middle East, we usually leave the situation much worse than how we found it. Our government continues to claim we can’t afford to address the climate crisis or pay reparations or make healthcare a human right for all, as children in the US go hungry and veterans are unhoused. On the Foreign Affairs Committee, I would advocate for policy that uplifts rather than destroys and prioritizes human rights and dignity above all else. I would also raise serious concerns about friendliness with foreign nations and entities that abuse human rights.

What are your views on financial transparency and government accountability?

Since the Supreme Court's Citizens United decision, money has equated to speech in American politics which has had disastrous effects on our political system. Candidates and PACs should be subject to more stringent reporting requirements and Congress must take legislative action to undo the Citizens United ruling.

Financial disclosures are, of course, important for candidates and elected officials to submit, but I also think they should be easier to find and even openly publicized by candidates and politicians. After I posted my financial disclosures, I can't count the number of people who told me they didn't even know this form existed in the first place.

But we can't just accept the bare minimum (i.e. knowing the financial interests of our elected officials and keeping dark money out of politics). We have to take action against political corruption for financial gain. Members of Congress should not be able to trade individual stocks while in office due to insider trading concerns. Ones who do should face scrutiny, not just by voters but by the House Ethics Committee. Additionally, Citizens United needs to be overturned so corporations and dark money don't have a larger voice than voters and the Supreme Court needs a binding code of ethics to ensure they don't take bribes and there should be an easier process to remove them from office in the event that they violate that code.

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Campaign finance summary

Note: The finance data shown here comes from the disclosures required of candidates and parties. Depending on the election or state, this may represent only a portion of all the funds spent on their behalf. Satellite spending groups may or may not have expended funds related to the candidate or politician on whose page you are reading this disclaimer. Campaign finance data from elections may be incomplete. For elections to federal offices, complete data can be found at the FEC website. Click here for more on federal campaign finance law and here for more on state campaign finance law.

Kat Abughazaleh campaign contribution history
Year	Office	Status	Contributions	Expenditures
2026*	U.S. House Illinois District 9	Candidacy Declared primary	$1,524,729	$512,454
Grand total			$1,524,729	$512,454
Sources: OpenSecrets, Federal Elections Commission *This product uses the openFEC API but is not endorsed or certified by the Federal Election Commission (FEC).
* Data from this year may not be complete

Noteworthy events

Indictment (2025)

See also: Noteworthy criminal misconduct in American politics (2025-2026)

On October 23, 2025 Abughazaleh was indicted on two charges related to protests at a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility that she attended near Chicago.^[2] There were five other individuals named in the indictment. In a post on X, Abughazaleh wrote, "This political prosecution is an attack on all of our First Amendment rights. I’m not backing down, and we’re going to win."^[3]

External links

Search Google News for this topic

Candidate

U.S. House Illinois District 9

Personal

Footnotes

↑ Information submitted to Ballotpedia through the Candidate Connection survey on May 21, 2025
↑ MSNBC, "Kat Abughazaleh indicted over protests outside Chicago-area ICE facility," accessed October 29, 2025
↑ X, "Abughazaleh on October 29, 2025," accessed October 29, 2025

[show]

Illinois' current delegation to the United States Congress

Senators

Tammy Duckworth (D)

Dick Durbin (D)

Representatives

District 1

Jonathan Jackson (D)

District 2

Robin Kelly (D)

District 3

Delia Ramirez (D)

District 4

Jesus Garcia (D)

District 5

Mike Quigley (D)

District 6

Sean Casten (D)

District 7

Danny Davis (D)

District 8

Raja Krishnamoorthi (D)

District 9

Jan Schakowsky (D)

District 10

Brad Schneider (D)

District 11

Bill Foster (D)

District 12

Mike Bost (R)

District 13

Nikki Budzinski (D)

District 14

Lauren Underwood (D)

District 15

Mary Miller (R)

District 16

Darin LaHood (R)

District 17

Eric Sorensen (D)

Democratic Party (16)

Republican Party (3)

[1] Information submitted to Ballotpedia through the Candidate Connection survey on May 21, 2025

[MSNBC-2] MSNBC, "Kat Abughazaleh indicted over protests outside Chicago-area ICE facility," accessed October 29, 2025

[3] X, "Abughazaleh on October 29, 2025," accessed October 29, 2025

[1]

[2]

[3]

		Candidate
	Submit photo	David Abrevaya
		Kat Abughazaleh
		Bushra Amiwala
		Phil Andrew
		Daniel K. Biss
		Jeff Cohen
		Laura Fine
		Justin Ford
		Tamika La'Shon Hill
		Hoan Huynh
		Bethany Johnson
	Submit photo	Bruce Leon
	Submit photo	Jill Manrique
		Lauren Million
		Sam Polan
		Nick Pyati
		Howard Rosenblum
		Mike Simmons

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Kat Abughazaleh

Contents

Biography

Elections

2026

General election

General election for U.S. House Illinois District 9

Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for U.S. House Illinois District 9

Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

Republican primary election

Republican primary for U.S. House Illinois District 9

Endorsements

Campaign themes

2026

Ballotpedia survey responses

Campaign finance summary

Noteworthy events

Indictment (2025)

See also

External links

Footnotes

Information about voting

2025 Elections

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