Election Night — March 17, 2026
Candidate Profiles
Illinois 9th District Democratic Primary • March 17, 2026
DB
Daniel Biss
Mayor of Evanston
71.6%
Current Odds
Mayor of Evanston and former Illinois State Senator. Proven progressive with a legislative track record protecting healthcare, defending immigrants, and advocating for economic justice.
Key Endorsements
- Rep. Jan Schakowsky
- Sen. Elizabeth Warren
- Illinois AFL-CIO
- SEIU Illinois State Council
- Illinois Federation of Teachers
- Congressional Progressive Caucus PAC
Key Issues
Medicare for All
Wealth tax on billionaires
Ban on mass deportations
Cease-fire in Gaza
KA
Kat Abugazaleh
Former Media Matters Researcher
21.6%
Current Odds
Media critic and researcher focused on combating right-wing disinformation. Running an anti-establishment campaign centered on breaking the status quo and transparent grassroots fundraising.
Key Endorsements
- Rep. Ro Khanna
- Former Rep. Jamaal Bowman
- Sunrise Movement
- Peace Action
Key Issues
Rejecting corporate PAC money
Media transparency
Combating disinformation
Breaking the status quo
LF
Laura Fine
State Senator
6.5%
Current Odds
Illinois State Senator and champion for families. Recently passed laws banning prior authorization for mental health services, requiring insurance coverage for emergency neonatal intensive care, and mandating toxic metal testing in baby food.
Key Endorsements
- Rep. Brad Schneider (IL-10)
- Rep. Lois Frankel (FL-22)
- Rep. Norma Torres (CA-25)
- State Rep. Tracy Katz Muhl (IL-57)
- State Sen. Laura Murphy (IL-28)
- Chicago Tribune
- Maine Township Democrats
Key Issues
Mental health access
Insurance reform
Family healthcare
Toxic metal testing in baby food
MS
Mike Simmons
State Senator
0.1%
Current Odds
First openly LGBTQ+ and Ethiopian-American Illinois State Senator. Passed the Jett Hawkins Act banning hair discrimination and championed the Patient and Provider Protection Act protecting gender-affirming care.
Key Endorsements
- Equality PAC
- LGBTQ+ Victory Fund
Key Issues
Gender-affirming care
Public transit expansion
Affordable housing
Permanent child tax credits
PA
Phil Andrew
Former FBI Agent
0.1%
Current Odds
Former FBI special agent and hostage negotiator with 21 years of service. Gun violence survivor shot by Laurie Dann in 1988, advocating for evidence-based community safety strategies.
Key Issues
Gun violence prevention
Community safety
Political independence
Refusing PAC money
