Kat Abughazaleh Announces Congressional Run Against Jan Schakowsky

On March 24, 2025, Kat Abughazaleh, a rising liberal influencer, declared her candidacy for Congress, aiming to unseat Representative Jan Schakowsky (Democrat-Illinois) in the northern suburbs of Chicago. She shared her vision in a compelling video released on platforms such as X (formerly Twitter) and YouTube, which quickly gained traction online.

“I’m Kat Abughazaleh and I’m running for Congress,”her post announced.

Defending Values and Challenging the Status Quo

In her impactful video, Abughazaleh, 26, pointed fingers at President Donald Trump and Elon Musk for what she termed “dismantling our country piece by piece.”She expressed frustration over complacent Democrats, insisting that the nation requires more decisive leadership.

“It’s time to drop the excuses and grow a f**king spine. I’m Kat Abughazaleh, and I’m running for Congress in Illinois’s 9th District,”she declared, criticizing the party for relying on outdated strategies.

Insight into Abughazaleh’s Background

Raised in a diverse, upper-middle-class household in Dallas, Texas, Abughazaleh was influenced by her conservative, Fox News-watching parents. After moving to Tucson, Arizona, as a teenager, she later registered to vote while living in Washington, D.C., where she formerly resided.

“At least half my high school was low-income or undocumented. The bootstrap myth just shattered before my eyes,”she shared during a March 2025 interview with HuffPost.

Having previously served as a video producer at the liberal organization Media Matters for America, Abughazaleh faced termination after the group was embroiled in legal disputes with Elon Musk, which drew attention to the financial struggles of the organization. The ongoing legal battle has defined a significant chapter of her career.

A Multifaceted Career and Social Media Influence

A graduate of George Washington University with a degree in International Security, Abughazaleh has contributed to prominent publications like The New York Times and Current Affairs while working at Mother Jones and Zeto News. She has covered major events such as the 2024 Democratic National Convention in Chicago and gained a considerable social media following—over 207,400 followers on X and 217,000 on TikTok—with many of her videos attracting millions of views.

Details from Abughazaleh’s Viral Announcement Video

In her recent social media video, Abughazaleh emphasized the necessity for a Democratic party that fervently opposes current administration policies. She advocated for affordable housing, accessible healthcare, and expanded social security benefits for all citizens.

“There is absolutely no reason you shouldn’t be able to afford housing, groceries, and healthcare, with some money left over,”she asserted, underscoring her commitment to addressing economic disparities.

Continuing her passionate plea, she declared the importance of standing up to authoritarian figures rather than succumbing to fear in challenging times.

“And while the current Democratic leadership might be fine cowering to Trump, I’m not,”she affirmed, shedding light on her extensive confrontations with far-right ideologies throughout her career.

Abughazaleh vowed to share the intricacies of her campaign, including the costs and necessary steps to run for office, advocating for transparency and authenticity in the political process.

Vision and Plans for Her Campaign

Kat’s campaign will focus on meeting the constituents’ needs, with innovative approaches such as book drives instead of traditional fundraisers. “What if we didn’t suck?”she queried, emphasizing her desire for grassroots engagement.

“It’s time to challenge the status quo. And if our leaders won’t do it, we will,”she concluded, rallying support for her cause.

Challenging an Established Incumbent

Although Abughazaleh did not directly name Schakowsky in her video, her campaign materials highlighted the incumbent’s extensive tenure of 14 terms since first being elected in 1998, raising important questions about representation in the Democratic Party. Her website also advocates for progressive policies such as enhanced protections for the LGBTQIA+ community, greater investments in public education, and climate change initiatives.

Reactions and Future Implications

In response to Abughazaleh’s announcement, Schakowsky released a statement welcoming the involvement of new voices in the democratic process, indicating her commitment to combat the Trump administration’s policies.

Should she win, Abughazaleh would mark a historic milestone as the first Gen Z woman in Congress, representing areas such as Evanston, Skokie, and Niles in the 9th Congressional District of Illinois.

For further insights into her campaign and vision, Kat Abughazaleh invites engagement through her website, katforillinois.com.