Influencer Kat Abughazaleh runs for Congress, taking on longtime Democrat Jan Schakowsky

Influencer Kat Abughazaleh is running for Congress in Illinois’ 9th district, challenging incumbent Jan Schakowsky.
Pop Culture & Art | March 24, 2025

Instagram/kabughazaleh

Kat Abughazaleh, a journalist and digital influencer, has announced her candidacy for Congress in Illinois’ 9th district, launching her campaign through a YouTube video aimed at younger voters.

Abughazaleh, who has built a following dissecting right-wing media and corporate influence, is challenging 81-year-old Democratic incumbent Jan Schakowsky, who has held the seat since 1999.

In her announcement, Abughazaleh emphasized her progressive platform, pledging to fight for affordable housing, groceries, and healthcare, expand Social Security, and oppose authoritarianism. She criticized establishment Democrats for failing to push bold policies, stating, “We need a vision that’s bigger than what we’ve been told is possible.”

Abughazaleh is a digital-native candidate, using social media platforms like YouTube and TikTok, where she has over 217,000 followers, to engage voters. Her campaign video featured a streamer-style aesthetic, with high-quality visuals, subtitles, and dynamic editing, contrasting with Schakowsky’s more traditional approach.

A former employee of Media Matters, Abughazaleh gained prominence analyzing far-right disinformation and was deposed in 2023 as part of Elon Musk’s lawsuit against the organization. She has since continued her work independently, producing content focused on media and politics.

Her campaign represents a growing trend of social media personalities entering politics, but whether online influence can translate into electoral success remains uncertain. The Illinois Democratic primary will determine if her populist messaging resonates with voters over Schakowsky’s long-established presence in the district.

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