Longtime Rep. Jan Schakowsky (D-Ill.) could get a run for her money in a race against a 26-year-old progressive social media influencer who just launched a bid for the Chicago-area seat.
Kat Abughazaleh, a former staffer for Media Matters for America with a large online following, said she’s running on a platform that aims to make “far left” ideas like universal child care and expanding the country’s social safety net the norm for Democrats.
The first-time political candidate also wants to challenge Democrats to be more aggressive against President Donald Trump and isn’t afraid of criticizing leadership when necessary.
“Trump is just destroying our country, and while a lot of Democrats seem to agree with that, not all of them are standing up to it,” Abughazaleh told us. “But it’s not just about Trump not being in power. It’s also about having a vision beyond that, and one that’s just bigger than the status quo circa 2005 or 2012.”
This is the latest example of younger, more progressive candidates seeking to topple the Democratic Party’s seniority system.
Abughazaleh is running a nontraditional campaign, focusing on online reach, grassroots activism and small-dollar donations. In a surprising move, Abughazaleh said she’s not planning to use cable TV ads, which has traditionally been the most prominent way to reach large swaths of voters.
And to Abughazaleh’s credit, she’s swiftly bringing in campaign cash and increasing her following by the thousands. Since she launched her campaign this week, Abughazaleh said she’s already raised more than $200,000.
The 80-year-old Schakowsky, who has represented Illinois’ 9th District since 1999, hasn’t announced her intention to run for reelection. But Schakowsky did acknowledge her experience serving the district and Abughazaleh’s new ties to the Chicago area. Abughazaleh moved to the Windy City just last year and doesn’t yet live in the 9th District.
“She’s barely landed in the Chicago area,” Schakowsky told us of the challenger. “I’ve spent many, many years, decades, in the district and have a very, very good relationship with the people who are there.”
Schakowsky, who has built a reputation championing progressive causes, added that she “would win” if she decides to run for reelection, which she’ll announce in a “timely” manner.
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, who said he hasn’t kept an eye on this race yet, said he will likely have a conversation with Schakowsky at some point about defending her seat if she runs.
At his weekly news conference, Jeffries called Schakowsky “a long-standing, stalwart progressive member” but acknowledged there’s “a lot of anxiety” in the country when asked about the potential primary.
Meanwhile, Abughazaleh isn’t afraid to hit Democratic leadership where they stand now.
Abughazaleh described Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer’s handling of the recent government funding bill as “cowardly,” while criticizing Jeffries for how he dealt with members’ behavior during Trump’s address to Congress.
“If your leadership means chastising the people that stood out against that, that’s not leadership. That is appeasement,” Abughazaleh said. “This is a moment that people like Hakeem Jeffries [need to] meet or they can step aside for someone who will.”
Also: Rep. Julie Johnson (D-Texas) is introducing a resolution condemning the Trump administration for using Signal to share classified information on defense plans.
