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Gen Zer Quits Google Job to Run for Congress With No Backup Plan
Bushra Amiwala shares why she left Big Tech to pursue a career in politics.
Mar. 17, 2026 at 8:58am
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Bushra Amiwala, a 28-year-old Google employee, has quit her job to run for Congress in Illinois' 9th District. Amiwala faced a difficult decision - stay at Google or quit to run for the open congressional seat. After her request for a leave of absence was denied, Amiwala resigned from Google in June 2026 to run her campaign full-time, despite not having a backup plan. Amiwala previously served on the Skokie Board of Education, becoming one of the first members of Gen Z elected to public office in the US.
Why it matters
Amiwala's decision to leave a stable job at a major tech company to run for Congress is part of a growing trend of younger Americans, especially those from Gen Z, entering politics. Her story highlights the risks and challenges faced by those who choose to pursue public service over more traditional career paths.
The details
Amiwala, who studied management information systems at DePaul University, previously interned at a large consulting firm and later landed a role at Google. When the seat in Illinois' 9th Congressional District opened up, Amiwala began weighing a run, speaking with over 100 district residents. She applied for a six-month unpaid leave of absence from Google, but when that was denied, she was left with the choice of staying at Google or quitting to run for office full-time. Amiwala ultimately resigned from Google in June 2026 to focus on her campaign.
- In May 2026, Democratic Rep. Jan Schakowsky announced she would not seek reelection in Illinois' 9th Congressional District.
- In June 2026, Amiwala announced her candidacy for the open congressional seat.
- On August 30, 2026, Amiwala resigned from her job at Google to run her campaign full-time.
The players
Bushra Amiwala
A 28-year-old former Google employee who has quit her job to run for Congress in Illinois' 9th District.
Jan Schakowsky
The Democratic Representative for Illinois' 9th Congressional District who announced she would not seek reelection in 2026.
Daniel Biss
The mayor of Evanston, Illinois, and one of the leading Democratic candidates in the race for Illinois' 9th Congressional District.
Kat Abughazaleh
An internet content creator and one of the leading Democratic candidates in the race for Illinois' 9th Congressional District.
Laura Fine
An Illinois state senator and one of the leading Democratic candidates in the race for Illinois' 9th Congressional District.
What they’re saying
“The idea of solving problems for people to make their lives easier has always inspired me.”
— Bushra Amiwala
“For me, it was a no-brainer. I knew I'd regret not doing it, and that matrix of decision-making made it really easy for me.”
— Bushra Amiwala
What’s next
The March 17 primary election will determine the Democratic and Republican nominees for the Illinois 9th Congressional District race.
The takeaway
Amiwala's decision to leave a stable job at a major tech company to run for Congress highlights the growing trend of younger Americans, especially those from Gen Z, entering politics. Her story demonstrates the risks and challenges faced by those who choose to pursue public service over more traditional career paths.
