Kat Abughazaleh’s grassroots campaign for Congress in Illinois’ Ninth District announced today that it has raised more than $600,000 since the start of the year, expanded its advertising to broadcast television, and is entering tonight’s televised debate in a highly competitive three-way race with clear momentum on its side.
This brings the campaign’s total raise to over $3.1 million dollars, including support from nearly 60,000 individual contributors and over 9,000 donors from Illinois alone. Small dollar donations continue to power this grassroots insurgent campaign with the average donation under $32. The campaign has also marked a new milestone hitting over 700,000 voter contacts through phone banking, texting, and door knocking.
A newly released poll shows the race tightening significantly, with Abughazaleh within striking distance in what has become one of the most dynamic Democratic primaries in the country. After being dismissed at launch, the campaign has steadily built momentum, fueled by grassroots donors and organizing energy. All while the mood in the democratic electorate is trending against career and establishment politicians.
“Our campaign started out in single digits,” said campaign manager Katherine Thames. “But when you organize everywhere, listen to voters, and refuse to take corporate PAC money, momentum follows. This race is now a clear three-way contest, and voters have a real choice. When this same choice has been presented to voters across the country, they’ve made their voice clear. And that’s why we know heading into the final stretch of the campaign that we will win.”
As momentum builds, the campaign is launching a new ad on broadcast television, expanding its paid media footprint beyond cable and digital to reach even more voters directly. The ad reinforces Abughazaleh’s message that voters deserve leadership willing to stand up with the urgency and moral clarity this moment requires.
“This race presents a clear contrast,” said congressional candidate Kat Abughazaleh. “One opponent is backed by millions from the AIPAC. Another sought their endorsement and misled voters about it. But both of them refuse to call what is happening in Gaza a genocide. I’m the only leading candidate in this race who is not taking corporate PAC money and who answers directly to the people of this district.”
Abughazaleh will appear tonight in a live televised debate on Fox 32 Chicago, where voters will hear directly from the candidates.
With strong fundraising, expanding broadcast presence, and growing poll momentum, the Abughazaleh campaign enters debate night with confidence and a clear message: this district deserves bold, unapologetically progressive leadership.