Kat Abughazaleh, a 26-year-old social media commentator known for her political content on TikTok, announced her campaign to challenge Democratic Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky for Illinois’s 9th Congressional District seat. 

The challenger kicked off her campaign on the Bluesky social network with a direct message about Democratic Party leadership, saying it’s time for Democrats to stop making excuses and be more assertive.

“I don’t think the Democratic Party right now is doing enough. [Sen.] Chuck Schumer backing down on the funding bill was just disgusting, frankly, and we can’t keep going that way,” Abughazaleh told Politico.

Abughazaleh also said she has already raised over $100,000 for her campaign effort.

Incumbent’s Progressive Credentials

Schakowsky, who has represented the district since winning her seat in 1998, is a member of the Congressional Progressive Caucus and has built a reputation as a champion of progressive causes.

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries defended Schakowsky’s credentials when asked about the primary challenge. 

“I’m not familiar with who you are talking about,” he told a reporter, referring to Abughazaleh, adding that Schakowsky is “a longstanding stalwart progressive member.”

Schakowsky, 80, welcomed the competition in a statement: “What makes our community, and our country, so great is that we welcome all voices and ideas. I have always encouraged more participation in the democratic process, and I’m glad to see new faces getting involved as we stand up against the Trump administration.”

The congresswoman added that she is focused on “fighting back against this extreme MAGA regime” and “taking food off families’ tables to give trillions in tax cuts to billionaires.”

Challenger’s Background and Motivation

As Rolling Stone reports, Abughazaleh previously worked at the liberal watchdog group Media Matters for America until 2024, when she was laid off following Elon Musk’s lawsuit against the organization. 

She gained prominence for her political commentary on TikTok and has produced content for Mother Jones and Zeteo, though she is stepping away from these roles during her campaign.

Despite acknowledging Schakowsky’s voting record, Abughazaleh framed her candidacy as necessary in the current political climate. “She’s been a good congresswoman, but I want to be better,” she said.

“We are in an emergency,” Abughazaleh stated. “Right now, the answer to authoritarianism isn’t to be quiet. It’s not matching pink outfits at a state address. It’s not throwing trans people under the bus. It’s not refusing to look at the party at all and see where it could be better.”

Residency Questions and Campaign Strategy

Abughazaleh’s campaign faces potential challenges regarding her residency. She has only lived in Chicago since July, voted in the 2024 election in Washington, D.C., and registered to vote in Illinois last month. She currently lives outside the district but plans to move into it “soon.”

For Politico, the candidate cited the lack of competitive primaries in the district as problematic: “Since 1998, there hasn’t been a competitive primary. I was born in 1999. So I think a huge problem with why we’re in this mess—with rising fascism, with ineffective Democrats—is just because we aren’t giving voters more options.”

Abughazaleh plans to document her campaign process across social media platforms to inspire others to run for office. She plans free public events with mutual aid groups and local businesses, avoiding traditional fundraising from corporations and wealthy donors.

Growing Movement Among Progressives

Abughazaleh’s candidacy comes amid broader frustration with the Democratic Party among some progressives. 

Sen. Bernie Sanders has recently encouraged progressives to run as independent candidates and abandon the Democratic label.

The challenger’s bid aligns with a surge in political engagement. Amanda Litman, Executive Director of Run for Something, told Rolling Stone that more than 27,000 people have signed up with the organization since Election Day, outpacing the organization’s recruitment in 2017 and 2018.

Should Schakowsky decide not to seek reelection, Politico notes other Illinois Democrats, including state Sen. Laura Fine and Evanston Mayor Daniel Biss, may consider running for the seat.