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Candidate Profiles

Illinois 9th District Democratic Primary • March 17, 2026

Daniel Biss

Daniel Biss

Mayor of Evanston

77.3% At polls close

Mayor of Evanston and former Illinois state senator; campaigned on healthcare, immigration and economic policy.

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
View Fundraising Data → Visit Campaign Site →
Kat Abughazaleh

Kat Abughazaleh

Former Media Matters Researcher

23.5% At polls close

Former Media Matters researcher and media critic who studied right-wing disinformation; campaigned as an anti-establishment candidate, with an emphasis on 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
View Fundraising Data → Visit Campaign Site →
Laura Fine

Laura Fine

State Senator

<1% At polls close

Illinois state senator whose recent laws ban prior authorization for mental health services, require insurance coverage for emergency neonatal intensive care, and mandate toxic metal testing in baby food; campaigned on mental health access and family healthcare.

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
View Fundraising Data → Visit Campaign Site →
Mike Simmons

Mike Simmons

State Senator

<1% At polls close

Illinois state senator, the first openly LGBTQ+ and Ethiopian-American member of the Illinois Senate, who passed the Jett Hawkins Act banning hair discrimination and backed the Patient and Provider Protection Act on gender-affirming care; campaigned on public transit, affordable housing and child tax credits.

Key Endorsements

  • Equality PAC
  • LGBTQ+ Victory Fund

Key Issues

Gender-affirming care Public transit expansion Affordable housing Permanent child tax credits
View Fundraising Data → Visit Campaign Site →
Phil Andrew

Phil Andrew

Former FBI Agent

<1% At polls close

Former FBI special agent and hostage negotiator with 21 years of service, and a survivor of the 1988 Laurie Dann shooting; campaigned on evidence-based community safety and gun violence prevention.

Key Endorsements

  • Brady PAC

Key Issues

Gun violence prevention Community safety Political independence Refusing PAC money
View Fundraising Data → Visit Campaign Site →