On March 16, 2026, Representatives Ilhan Omar and Rashida Tlaib publicly endorsed Kat Abughazaleh, a 26-year-old progressive, in the race for the Democratic nomination for Illinois's 9th Congressional District. This development heats up the race to succeed veteran Representative Jan Schakowsky, who is stepping down after 14 terms in the U.S. Congress. According to the AP, Jan Schakowsky announced her decision not to seek reelection in May 2025. Illinois's 9th District has long leaned heavily Democratic, meaning the party's primary will almost certainly determine the successor. A report from the New York Post indicates that Schakowsky is currently supporting another opponent of Abughazaleh in Tuesday's primary. At the same time, the entry of Omar and Representative Rashida Tlaib adds political weight to Abughazaleh's campaign, which has been drawing attention from progressives in Chicago and the surrounding areas. The AP noted that Abughazaleh outpaced Schakowsky in campaigning and fundraising in the quarter ending in March 2025, raising $379,000 compared to Schakowsky’s approximately $213,000. However, Schakowsky still maintained a cash-on-hand advantage in her campaign account at that time. Regarding the political landscape, the influx of young faces seeking to run for Congress reflects a generational shift within the Democratic Party in Illinois. The 9th District seat, which Schakowsky has held since 1999, has thus become a notable hotspot in the 2026 election season in the state of Illinois.

Read more