Political newcomer outraised US Rep. Schakowsky in 9th District last quarter, records show

Internet personality and former journalist Kat Abughazaleh, left, is running against longtime U.S. Rep. Jan Schakowsky of Evanston in the 2026 Democratic primary.

As Democratic U.S. Rep. Jan Schakowsky of Evanston decides whether to seek a 15th term in 2026, a political newcomer already is campaigning for her 9th District seat – and creating national buzz.

Fellow Democrat Kat Abughazaleh, a 26-year-old internet personality and former journalist who’s lived in Illinois less than a year, received significantly more financial support in her campaign’s first week than Schakowsky did in the entire first quarter of 2025, federal records show.