Journalist and Influencer Kat Abughazaleh Announces Congressional Bid

In a YouTube video that resembled a livestream more than a traditional campaign announcement, journalist and influencer Kat Abughazaleh declared her candidacy for Congress. Abughazaleh is running in Illinois’ 9th district, which encompasses the north side of Chicago and its surrounding suburbs. Her goal is to unseat incumbent Democratic Representative Jan Schakowsky, who has held the seat since 1999 and is currently 81 years old.

A Vision for a Better Future

In her announcement video, Abughazaleh promised to run a transparent campaign and fight for affordable groceries, among other issues. She emphasized the need for a vision that goes beyond what is currently considered possible. "There is absolutely no reason you shouldn’t be able to afford housing, groceries, and healthcare with some money leftover," she said. "Families should have free childcare, social security should be expanded, and our inalienable rights shouldn’t be dependent on who’s in power." Abughazaleh also stressed the importance of standing up to authoritarians and not backing down when faced with challenges.

A New Kind of Candidate

The video announcement was clearly tailored for a young audience, with a style reminiscent of a social media streamer. It featured a floating mic arm, high-quality camera, baked-in subtitles, and competent editing that helped Abughazaleh drive home her points. This is not surprising, given that Abughazaleh has spent years creating content online. She previously worked for Media Matters, where she critiqued and dissected right-wing media and talking points, and has also produced videos for Mother Jones.

A History of Fighting for What’s Right

In 2023, Media Matters published an investigation that revealed how advertisers on X often had their content appear alongside Nazi propaganda. The backlash led to advertisers fleeing the platform, and Elon Musk subsequently sued the company for defamation. Abughazaleh was among the staff members laid off by Media Matters, which cited an inability to pay its legal bills and employees at the same time. Abughazaleh has since continued to produce videos independently on YouTube and TikTok, where she has amassed a following of 217,000 users.

Taking on the Establishment

Abughazaleh’s Congressional announcement also highlighted her experience in taking on powerful figures like Elon Musk. "Just a few months ago, Elon Musk’s lawyers deposed me here in Chicago to ask about my mean tweets," she said. Her ability to fight against authoritarians and pseudonymous trolls has earned her a reputation as a fearless and effective advocate. As the Democratic Party struggles to connect with younger voters and appears to be losing ground to Republicans, Abughazaleh’s candidacy is seen as a breath of fresh air.

Contrast with Incumbent Jan Schakowsky

In contrast to Abughazaleh’s polished and engaging announcement video, incumbent Representative Jan Schakowsky’s recent YouTube video about her plans for the future appears outdated and lackluster. The video features poor lighting, off-color balance, and editing that seems to cover up mistakes rather than emphasizing Schakowsky’s talking points. Schakowsky also bragged about being mentioned on TV by Rachel Maddow, which further highlights the generational divide between the two candidates.

Can Social Media Stardom Translate to Electoral Success?

While Abughazaleh is not the first person to attempt to leverage social media fame into a political career, her background and experience set her apart. Unlike previous candidates who used social media as a launchpad for their political ambitions, Abughazaleh is a digital native who has spent years building a following and fighting for progressive causes online. Whether this can translate into electoral success remains to be seen, but Abughazaleh’s candidacy is certainly generating buzz and excitement among younger voters.

A Response to the Status Quo!

In a recent post on BlueSky, Abughazaleh responded to a New York Times article about lawmakers being intimidated by Trump and his online followers. "Every disinfo reporter/researcher I know (including myself) has been the target of mean tweets or even legal action by Elon Musk," she said. "Frankly, this is a skill issue." Abughazaleh’s confidence and willingness to take on the establishment are seen as a refreshing change from the status quo, and her candidacy is being closely watched by many who are eager for a new kind of leadership.