Evanston Mayor Daniel Biss wins Illinois’ 9th District Democratic House primary Evanston Mayor Daniel Biss secured the Democratic nomination for Illinois’ 9th Congressional District on Tuesday, defeating a crowded field of candidates including progressive insurgent Kat Abughazaleh and state Senator Laura Fine. The race, one of the most competitive in Illinois in recent years, saw 15 Democrats vying for the seat, which has been held by U.S. Rep. Jan Schakowsky since 1999. Biss’ victory positions him to potentially follow Schakowsky’s path, as the incumbent congresswoman praised his win and expressed confidence in his ability to challenge President Donald Trump. Biss, a former mathematician and state legislator, emphasized the need for a Congress that “asserts itself” against systemic corruption, criticizing the influence of wealthy donors and the role of the pro-Israel American Israel Public Affairs Committee in the campaign. He framed his win as proof that elections “can’t be bought,” a direct reference to the PAC’s involvement in the race. The 9th District, which spans North Side neighborhoods like Uptown and Andersonville, as well as suburbs such as Evanston and Glenview, is considered a reliably Democratic seat. Schakowsky, who previously held the seat for 24 terms before a brief hiatus, called Biss’ victory a “great moment” for Democrats and highlighted the party’s “bright future.” She noted that Biss would have strong support in Congress, setting the stage for his general election bid against Republican pastor John Elleson in November. Biss’ campaign focused on progressive policies, including his tenure as Evanston mayor, where he implemented carbon emission regulations and developed a housing plan for the city.#jan_schakowsky #daniel_biss #evanston_mayor #katherine_abughazaleh #american_israel_public_affairs_committee
Daniel Biss projected to win Democratic primary for Illinois' 9th Congressional District seat Daniel Biss is expected to secure the Democratic nomination for the U.S. House race in Illinois' 9th Congressional District, according to the Associated Press. The race, which covers northern Chicago and parts of the northwest suburbs, has been one of the most competitive in the state in recent years. This congressional seat has been open for the first time in 26 years following the retirement of long-serving Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky. Biss, a former Illinois state senator, is also endorsed by Schakowsky, who announced her decision to step down from office. The Democratic primary featured 15 candidates vying for the nomination, including former journalist Kat Abughazaleh, current state Senator Laura Fine, and gun control advocate Phil Andrew. Abughazaleh, in particular, raised significant funds to support her campaign, enabling her to run television advertisements. The Republican nomination for the seat is projected to go to John Elleson, according to the Associated Press. Elleson’s victory in the GOP primary marks a key development in the race, as the 9th District remains a closely contested area with a diverse electorate. The primary election results highlight the intense competition within the Democratic Party for the opportunity to challenge the Republican incumbent in the general election. Schakowsky’s retirement has created a significant opening, drawing attention to the district’s political dynamics and the candidates’ ability to mobilize support in a region with shifting demographics and voter priorities. The outcome of the Democratic primary will shape the trajectory of the congressional race, as the nominee will face Elleson in November.#associated_press #jan_schakowsky #daniel_biss #illinois_9th_congressional_district #john_elleson
Israel policy looms over Illinois primary election amid Iran war Pro-Israel groups in the United States are investing heavily in Illinois primary elections to shape political outcomes amid growing public discontent with Israeli policies. The contests, held in the Midwestern state, are seen as a critical test of the influence of pro-Israel lobbying efforts in the Democratic Party, particularly as the U.S. and Israel continue their joint military actions against Iran. AIPAC, the major pro-Israel advocacy group, has spent over $13.7 million on the primaries, including through shadow political action committees that operate with limited transparency. These groups have endorsed candidates aligned with pro-Israel interests, while simultaneously targeting progressive candidates who criticize Israeli policies. AIPAC’s election arm, the United Democracy Project, has been central to these efforts, though its name avoids direct references to Israel. One of the most closely watched races involves Kat Abughazaleh, a 26-year-old progressive activist running for a Democratic congressional seat previously held by Jan Schakowsky. Abughazaleh has openly condemned Israel’s actions in Gaza, labeling them a genocide, and faces competition from candidates like Daniel Biss, a centrist mayor backed by the liberal Zionist group J Street, and State Senator Laura Fine, seen as a pro-Israel candidate. AIPAC-linked groups initially supported Fine while attacking Biss, but recent strategies have shifted to focus on Abughazaleh, fearing past miscalculations in similar races. AIPAC’s influence extends to other races, including contests to fill seats left by retiring representatives. In one race, the group aims to defeat activist Kina Collins, while in another, it targets candidates like Melissa Conyears-Ervin and LaShawn Ford.#jan_schakowsky #kat_abughazaleh #laura_fine #aipac #j_street
Illinois primary voters turn out in droves for Congressional battles Illinois voters are actively participating in Tuesday’s primary elections, which will determine the next generation of leaders in the state’s Congressional delegation. With five open Congressional seats up for grabs, the race has drawn significant attention, particularly in suburban areas where early voting has already exceeded previous years’ totals. Suburban Cook County has seen a surge in early ballots, with over 54,000 more votes cast so far compared to the same period in 2022. At early voting sites like the Robert Crown Community Center in Evanston, voters cited both the Congressional race and broader political issues as key motivators for their participation. Abigail Buell, a voter and Northwestern University student, emphasized her frustration with current congressional representation, stating, “I feel like there are a lot of issues that I really care about and that I feel aren’t being represented in Congress and the U.S. Government.” Similarly, Claudia Steinke of Skokie highlighted her desire for candidates who align with community values, asking, “How are they working with the community? How are they supporting the community? Where are their funds coming from? Who do they support? Do they support a free Palestine? Are they willing to say that out loud?” The 9th District race to replace retiring U.S. Rep. Jan Schakowsky is one of the most closely watched contests, with a crowded field of candidates vying for the Democratic nomination. This district, along with three others in Chicago and its suburbs, is among the five open Congressional seats, including the race for Rep. Jesús “Chuy” García’s seat, which has only one candidate in each party’s primary.#illinois #jan_schakowsky #robert_crown_community_center #evanston #northwestern_university
A race for a safe blue seat tests how far left Democrats want new leaders to go A race for a safe blue seat tests how far left Democrats want new leaders to go The push for generational change in the Democratic Party faces a test in a Chicago-area congressional district, where the top candidates span three generations: from Gen X and millennials to Gen Z. On an overcast Saturday in Evanston, Ill., as local union members file into a small campaign office, sip coffee and get ready to go canvass, a classic campaign scene begins to take shape. "This group of people here this morning is the best reminder of what's at stake," said Daniel Biss, the mayor of Evanston. "We are in a crisis for working people in this country." He's running to represent the state's 9th congressional district, an area that includes Evanston and a stretch of the north side of Chicago. It's been held by Democratic Rep. Jan Schakowsky, 81, for the last 27 years. But her impending retirement opens up a rare vacancy, and Biss is one of 15 Democrats vying to succeed her, with top candidates spanning three generations, from Gen X and millennials to Gen Z. The race for this safe blue seat comes as many within the Democratic base are calling for change within their party, with some demanding a new generation of leaders. In Illinois' primary on Tuesday, residents in this district will help decide what the next chapter of Democratic leadership might look like. "I would say that the transition from Jan Schakowsky to me is one of generational change, for sure," Biss said in an interview. Biss, who is 48 and Gen X, leads in local polls and has the backing of Schakowsky, as well as other party leaders like Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass. As supporters head out to knock on doors, he argues he's most equipped to meet this moment.#daniel_biss #jan_schakowsky #elizabeth_warren #kat_abughazaleh #evanston_illinois
