Press Release
MUPAC Endorses Kat Abughazaleh for Illinois' 9th Congressional District
January 5, 2026
Illinois 9th Congressional District
Official Endorsement Statement
Muslims United PAC (MUPAC) proudly endorses Kat Abughazaleh for U.S. Congress in Illinois' 9th Congressional District. After careful evaluation of all candidates in this historic primary race, we believe Abughazaleh best represents the values and priorities of the Muslim American community.
Why This Race Matters
Illinois' 9th Congressional District represents one of the most progressive districts in the nation. With incumbent Jan Schakowsky's retirement announcement, this open seat presents a rare opportunity to elect a champion for Palestinian rights who will bring authentic community representation to Congress.
The 2026 Democratic primary features over 20 candidates, including several with strong progressive credentials. Among the most prominent pro-Palestine candidates are Kat Abughazaleh and Bushra Amiwala, both of whom have been outspoken critics of U.S. military aid to Israel.
Why Kat Abughazaleh Over Bushra Amiwala?
Both candidates have strong positions on Palestinian rights. However, our endorsement process considers multiple factors beyond policy alignment alone. Here's our analysis:
Kat Abughazaleh
Palestinian-American, 26
✓ Endorsed
Palestinian Heritage
Daughter of a Palestinian immigrant father
National Platform
1M+ social media following to amplify Palestinian voices
Frontrunner Status
Leading in polls alongside Daniel Biss
Grassroots Power
$100K raised in 7 hours from small donors
Historic First
Would be youngest woman & first Gen Z woman in Congress
Zero AIPAC Money
Entirely grassroots-funded campaign
Community Alignment
97%
Bushra Amiwala
Pakistani-American, 27
Not Endorsed
Strong on Palestine
Calls Israeli actions "genocide", opposes military aid
Local Roots
Born in Chicago, raised in Skokie since age 9
Elected Experience
School Board member since 2019
Pioneer
First Gen Z woman elected in the U.S. (2019)
Polling Position
Trails frontrunners, below 5%
Viability Concerns
May split progressive vote without winning
Primary Viability
22%
Key Factors in Our Decision
1. Palestinian Representation
Both candidates would bring valuable representation to Congress—Bushra Amiwala as a Muslim woman, and Kat Abughazaleh as a Palestinian-American, the daughter of a Palestinian immigrant. MUPAC deeply values both identities within our community. However, in a crowded 20+ candidate primary, our endorsement ultimately came down to viability. Abughazaleh is polling among the frontrunners and, if elected, would become the second Palestinian-American woman in Congress alongside Rashida Tlaib.
2. Viability and Strategic Impact
In a crowded 20+ candidate field, electability matters. Abughazaleh is polling among the frontrunners alongside Daniel Biss and Laura Fine, while Amiwala currently polls around 6%. With limited resources, MUPAC must strategically invest in candidates who can actually win. Supporting a candidate who cannot win risks splitting the progressive vote and electing a less aligned candidate.
3. Grassroots Fundraising Power
Abughazaleh's campaign raised over $100,000 in just seven hours after her announcement, demonstrating massive grassroots enthusiasm. Her campaign is built entirely on small-dollar donations with zero AIPAC money. This fundraising capacity signals both viability and authentic community support.
4. Unequivocal Commitment
Abughazaleh has been unambiguous in her positions. She has:
- Called the Netanyahu government a "genocidal apartheid regime"
- Pledged to vote against all U.S. military aid to Israel during the Gaza bombardment
- Unapologetically used "from the river to the sea" as a call for freedom
Our Respect for Bushra Amiwala
We want to be clear: Bushra Amiwala is an excellent candidate with strong progressive credentials and genuine commitment to Palestinian rights. Her local roots, governing experience, and trailblazing career as the first Gen Z elected official in America are commendable. She was among the first elected officials to sign onto Jewish Voice for Peace's call for a permanent ceasefire and boycotted the 2024 DNC over Biden's Gaza policy.
In many races, we would enthusiastically endorse her. However, in this particular primary with 20+ candidates, we believe our strategic resources are best directed toward the candidate most likely to win while also best representing Palestinian voices.
The Historic Significance
If elected, Kat Abughazaleh would make history as:
- The youngest woman ever elected to Congress
- The first Gen Z woman to serve in Congress
- The second Palestinian-American woman in Congress (after Rashida Tlaib)
This is a chance to send a powerful message: that a Palestinian-American woman, running on an uncompromising platform of Palestinian liberation, can win a congressional seat on the strength of grassroots support alone.
Support Our Endorsement
Help elect Kat Abughazaleh to Congress. Your donation supports both her campaign and MUPAC's efforts to elect candidates who stand for the Muslim American community.
Media Contact
For press inquiries regarding this endorsement, please contact:
press@muslimsunitedpac.com