15 Democrats Vie to Succeed Retiring Rep. Schakowsky in Illinois 9th District

Evanston Mayor Daniel Biss, state Sen. Laura Fine, and progressive commentator Kat Abughazaleh lead the crowded field in fundraising.

Mar. 18, 2026 at 12:03am

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Voters in Illinois' 9th Congressional District headed to the polls on Tuesday to select the Democratic nominee to succeed retiring U.S. Rep. Jan Schakowsky. The 15-candidate field includes several established local politicians as well as some political newcomers, reflecting the diverse region. The race has been marked by outside spending, with the leading candidates facing attacks over their donors and fundraising.

Why it matters

The 9th District has been a Democratic stronghold for decades, so the primary winner is all but certain to become the next member of Congress. The race offers a glimpse into the ideological divisions within the Democratic party, with candidates ranging from more moderate establishment figures to progressive insurgents.

The details

The three leading fundraisers are Evanston Mayor Daniel Biss, state Sen. Laura Fine of Glenview, and progressive commentator Kat Abughazaleh. However, several other candidates, including former FBI agent Phil Andrew, school board member Bushra Amiwala, state Sen. Mike Simmons, and state Rep. Hoan Huynh, have also proved competitive. The race has centered on issues like immigration, health care, and the role of money in politics, with the leading candidates taking different approaches.

  • The primary election took place on March 17, 2026.
  • Kat Abughazaleh's federal trial is scheduled to begin in late May 2026, several weeks after the primary.

The players

Daniel Biss

The mayor of Evanston and a former assistant math professor at the University of Chicago who previously ran unsuccessfully for governor in 2018.

Laura Fine

A state senator from Glenview whose work on health care legislation was spurred by her husband losing an arm in a car crash in 2010.

Kat Abughazaleh

A 26-year-old progressive commentator and political newcomer who initially launched her campaign as a primary challenge to the retiring Rep. Schakowsky.

Phil Andrew

A former FBI agent who survived a school shooting in 1988 and later built a career in crisis negotiation.

Bushra Amiwala

A Gen Z school board member in Skokie who was first elected at age 21.

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What they’re saying

“The basic attitude we oughta have, when the level of emergency is what it is, is any tool that we can find, we use, and that's the approach that I've taken as mayor of Evanston.”

— Daniel Biss, Evanston Mayor

“There are many candidates out there that are attacking me, but they can't attack my record.”

— Laura Fine, State Senator

What’s next

A jury trial in the federal case against Kat Abughazaleh is scheduled to begin in late May 2026, several weeks after the primary election.

The takeaway

The crowded and competitive Democratic primary in Illinois' 9th District highlights the ideological divisions within the party, as both established politicians and political newcomers vie to succeed the retiring Rep. Schakowsky. The outcome will shape the direction of the district's representation in Congress.