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"What if we didn't suck?" [1]

['This Content Is Not Subject To Review Daily Kos Staff Prior To Publication.']

Date: 2025-03-24

The 2026 election cycle is getting into gear already with Kat Abugazeleh’s announcement video truly speaking to the moment.

x While a clear example of what will get people to the polls to reject the Musk-Trump-GOP Cabal, do you believe that #SurrenderCaucus Chair @schumer.senate.gov looks to people like Kat with enthusiasm? While this video is #MustWatch, spend time at www.katforillinois.com to learn more. — A Siegel (@asiegel.bsky.social) 2025-03-24T14:20:09.490Z

Donald Trump and Elon Musk are dismantling our country piece by piece and so many Democrats seem content to just sit back and let them. So I say it's time to drop the excuses and grow a fucking spine .

Let’s be clear, she had me at “grow a fucking spine”.

I'm Kat Abughazaleh and I'm running for Congress in Illinois' Ninth District. Unfortunately this party has become one where you have to look to the exceptions for real leadership as the majority work from an outdated playbook.

You mean like the domination of the Civility Uber Alles caucus across the Hill or the 21st century communication skills of top Democrats “giving zoom interviews from their grandmother’s sitting room”

We need a makeover, which means we need a vision that's bigger than what we've been told is possible. There is absolutely no reason you shouldn't be able to afford housing, groceries, and health care with some money left over. Families should have free childcare, Social Security should be expanded, and our inalienable rights shouldn't be dependent on who's in power. That means standing up to authoritarians, not shrinking away when the fight gets tough. And while current Democratic leadership might be fine cowering to Trump, I'm not. I've spent my entire career reporting on the far-right, and being attacked by them as a result. In fact, just a few months ago Elon Musk's lawyers deposed me here in Chicago to ask about my mean tweets.

If things work out, perhaps there will be another mean tweeter (okay, Skeeter) in the House.

Look, I thought comedy was legal again. This is all to say I'm not scared of standing up to these people. I know how they think and I know how to beat them. But my campaign itself is going to be different too, because I don't want to wait a year to help people. We're focused on meeting constituent needs with one simple rule : What if we didn't suck? My campaign and I would rather spend our money on book drives and clothing exchanges and public events than fancy fundraisers for rich donors. I also want my campaign to be as transparent as possible. That's why I'll be posting regular videos about the costs and steps of running for office. We all deserve better. We deserve human rights and financial freedom and a party that stands up to authoritarians. We deserve to thrive not just survive. And I plan to fight for those ideals both on the campaign trail and in Congress. If you want to know more about me and what I believe, you can go to Kat for Illinois I do need to mention that campaigns cost money and ask you to contribute what you can. But I promise your donation will not be wasted on old ineffective tactics. No spammy guilt trip texts, no focus groups to "test" my views, and no grifty consultants who care more about their paycheck than actually winning. It's time to challenge the status quo and if our leaders won't do it, we will. I'm Kat Abughazaleh and I'm running for Congress because it's time for Democrats to do more.

The reception BlueSky (at least) is strongly positive (see here, there, and, well, everywhere). Watch her video, read the text, visit the campaign site and perhaps you’ll agree.

NOTE: This is an extremely blue district, with Harris having won 69-31, and thus not battleground with pickup potential with new, strong, fresh voice. The 9th is represented by 80 year old Jan Schakowsky, who is reasonably progressive through her career. And, to be clear, I do not have real awareness of her effectiveness at this time. I do think Abughazaleh’s straightforward, powerful and resolute clarity fits with the needs of our time.

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[1] Url: https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2025/3/24/2312231/-What-if-we-didn-t-suck?pm_campaign=front_page&pm_source=more_community&pm_medium=web

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