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
RoundTable/PPP poll: Abughazaleh narrows gap behind Biss, while Fine falls back in congressional race One week before the 9th Congressional District primary, a new poll commissioned by the Evanston RoundTable reveals shifting dynamics in the race. Content creator Kat Abughazaleh has closed the gap with front-runner Evanston Mayor Daniel Biss, while state Sen. Laura Fine has slipped further behind, with nearly one in six voters still undecided as Election Day approaches on March 17. The poll, conducted by Public Policy Polling—a Democratic Party-affiliated firm—surveyed 741 likely Democratic primary voters via text-to-web messages and automated landline calls between March 9 and 10. Responses were weighted to reflect the district’s demographics. Biss maintained his lead with 24% of respondents, the same as the previous poll, while Abughazaleh rose three points to 20%. Fine’s support dropped two points to 14%, moving her out of the top two. State Sen. Mike Simmons (7th District) gained four points to 10%, becoming the first candidate outside the top three to reach double digits in any poll released during the campaign. Former FBI agent Phil Andrew and Skokie school board member Bushra Amiwala each gained two points, reaching 7% and 6% respectively. State Rep. Hoan Huynh (13th District), economist Jeff Cohen, and environmental engineer Justin Ford each secured 1% of support. About 17% of voters—down five points from the last poll—remain undecided, though this still represents a significant portion of the electorate. Demographic data highlights persistent divides. Biss performed best with voters aged 45-65 (23%) and those 65 and older (31%), while Abughazaleh led among voters aged 18-45 (34%).#kat_abughazaleh #daniel_biss #evanston_roundtable #public_policy_polling #laura_fine
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
