The race to succeed Rep. Jan Schakowsky of Evanston in Congress just got more crowded.
State Rep. Hoan Huynh of Andersonville filed campaign papers Tuesday night, entering the Democratic primary campaign to represent Illinois’ 9th Congressional District, becoming the 11th Democrat to do so.
While his campaign did not officially confirm his candidacy as of late Tuesday, Huynh submitted a statement of organization and statement of candidacy on Tuesday with the Federal Election Commission. […]
Other names in the race include Evanston Mayor Daniel Biss, State Sen. Laura Fine of Glenview and social media influencer Kat Abughazaleh of Chicago, along with a half dozen other candidates who’ve announced their own campaigns more recently.
Huynh said he’s proud to represent both the refugee and immigrant community — and he wants constituents from the very diverse district to understand “government should work for everyone, not just for those at the top.”
Born in Vietnam to Vietnamese and Chinese parents, Huynh’s family received refugee asylum from the U.S. in the early 1990s after his father fought alongside U.S. military forces during the Vietnam War. The Yale University graduate also received a fellowship from Harvard University before beginning a career in education and public policy research at Yale. Huynh, 35, is serving his second term in the Illinois House representing the 13th District. […]
Schakowsky announced she wouldn’t be seeking reelection in May. She is currently serving her 14th term. It’s unclear whether she’ll endorse someone in the race to succeed her, but Huynh said he’ll be seeking her approval.
“We’re looking forward to running a very tough, hard and very well-fought race,” Huynh said. “And we look forward to earning her endorsement. It will be an honor to earn her endorsement, as well.”
* Evanston Roundtable | Two more Chicago Dems file to run for Schakowsky’s seat: And on Monday afternoon, [Bruce Leon] filed the same paperwork to declare his candidacy and create a “Bruce Leon for Congress” committee. He serves as the Democratic Committeeman of Chicago’s 50th Ward, which borders Evanston to the southwest, and last year ran unsuccessfully for a Chicago School Board seat in the Second District, finishing second in a four-way race with 20.2% behind winner Ebony DeBerry’s 43.4%. The domain bruceleon.com was similarly registered on May 29 and updated on June 18, and the site currently displays a “private site” message on the landing page. A campaign consultant listed in Leon’s filings did not immediately respond to an email request for comment sent early Wednesday morning.
There are now 9 named candidates. Here are last four primary cycles of votes in the 9th CD for Schakowsky. ‘22 and ‘24 are under the new map.
2024 - 75k
2022- 77k
2020- 127k
2018- 108k
Dropoffs in primary voters in the new map.
Lots of ifs in play here. There is no primary for Governor, but there is a primary for US Senate.
I could go on and on about the data, but overall, this looks like one to grab the popcorn for.
The Abughazaleh votes could end up going his way as more negatives come out about her and/or she starts fading from the initial “star power” she had as the first contender.
Being the only credible contender from Chicago already helps him with a good chunk of the district…and potential dollars.
Rep. Huynh is walking away from a safe seat in the GA to run in a crowded field for Congress. Maybe he didn’t enjoy Springfield as much as he thought he would?
I think he’s a long-shot to win the nomination for the 9th, but I’ve underestimated him before. It is a large field and my guess is, there will be more candidates joining in. We’ll see what happens here, and who emerges to run for his legislative seat.
The last time there was a primary for this seat (and it was a long time ago now…) it was very much a territorial contest. Different map of course. Howie Carroll was trying to get the north and northwest side Chicago precincts, and hoping JB Pritzker would dilute Jan’s margins in Evanston. But Jan built a monster turnout in Evanston, swamped JB there, and went on to victory.
I don’t know enough about the district today to know where the biggest vote totals are (except of course still Evanston). I’m curious though what Evanstonians would make of voting for a Chicago state rep, even one with a very appealing story like Huynh. I feel right now like Huynh’s base would be somewhere else, and he’s hoping Fine / Biss / Kat / ??? kind of split that part of the district. But, as 47th ward noted, he has been underestimated before.
@the young gov: I assume your question isn’t serious; you can look up what bills he’s sponsored and passed as well as anyone can. Just know that the simplest answer is, he’s done more than anyone who hasn’t held office before. There are a couple of those in the primary.
Which of the candidates would have deeper gay support, Huynh or Biss? One holds down Andersonville, but the other has a longer…résumé. Remember his gubernatorial primary signs that read “Biss, please!”. Fabulous humor the Evanston mayor has.
=I’m guessing that those who don’t vote for Biss will have no problem considering a vote for Huynh.=
I think it is wrong to assume that people in Evanston who dislike Biss will shift towards Huynh when you have other good choices like Fine. People in the comments seem to think this is a race between Biss, Huynh, and Kat when Fine has built quite the good reputation, especially in the suburbs.
- Alton Sinkhole - Wednesday, Jul 2, 25 @ 10:39 am:
I like him a lot and he’s shown himself to be a tenacious campaigner, I wouldn’t be surprised if he ends up winning this race or coming close.
The launch video feels very minor league though, I gotta be honest.
- City Zen - Wednesday, Jul 2, 25 @ 10:41 am:
With every new candidate in this race, Kat’s base remains constant while everyone else’s vote share diminishes.
I don’t think that base is enough to win, but she has to think the more the merrier.
- People’s Republic of Oak Park - Wednesday, Jul 2, 25 @ 10:50 am:
Under estimate Hoan at your peril. The guy is a dogged campaigner and has a whip smart team around him.
- Alton Sinkhole - Wednesday, Jul 2, 25 @ 10:54 am:
The negatives on Kat are coming and will be unleashed with a lot of money behind them.
- Mom Jeans - Wednesday, Jul 2, 25 @ 10:56 am:
People’s Republic: 100% agree.
- Save Ferris - Wednesday, Jul 2, 25 @ 11:02 am:
“With every new candidate in this race, Kat’s base remains constant while everyone else’s vote share diminishes.”
This is correct. A Bob Dold type would win this against her.
- Scoot - Wednesday, Jul 2, 25 @ 11:16 am:
He’s the right candidate at the right time…he’s young, smart, and hungry. I wish him luck and I hope he is victorious!
- Pekin - Wednesday, Jul 2, 25 @ 11:17 am:
Interesting - not one mention of Trump. Kind of refreshing.
- Frida's Boss - Wednesday, Jul 2, 25 @ 11:18 am:
There are now 9 named candidates. Here are last four primary cycles of votes in the 9th CD for Schakowsky. ‘22 and ‘24 are under the new map.
2024 - 75k
2022- 77k
2020- 127k
2018- 108k
Dropoffs in primary voters in the new map.
Lots of ifs in play here. There is no primary for Governor, but there is a primary for US Senate.
I could go on and on about the data, but overall, this looks like one to grab the popcorn for.
- NIU Grad - Wednesday, Jul 2, 25 @ 11:37 am:
The Abughazaleh votes could end up going his way as more negatives come out about her and/or she starts fading from the initial “star power” she had as the first contender.
Being the only credible contender from Chicago already helps him with a good chunk of the district…and potential dollars.
- 47th Ward - Wednesday, Jul 2, 25 @ 11:41 am:
Rep. Huynh is walking away from a safe seat in the GA to run in a crowded field for Congress. Maybe he didn’t enjoy Springfield as much as he thought he would?
I think he’s a long-shot to win the nomination for the 9th, but I’ve underestimated him before. It is a large field and my guess is, there will be more candidates joining in. We’ll see what happens here, and who emerges to run for his legislative seat.
- Steve - Wednesday, Jul 2, 25 @ 11:49 am:
Huynh has a very good ad there. He has a very impressive background story.
- JP Altgeld - Wednesday, Jul 2, 25 @ 11:52 am:
Hoan is many things. Being from Chicago is not one of them.
- System Reboot - Wednesday, Jul 2, 25 @ 11:55 am:
You know, I woke up thinking we didn’t have enough candidates in the IL-9 race
- ZC - Wednesday, Jul 2, 25 @ 12:11 pm:
The last time there was a primary for this seat (and it was a long time ago now…) it was very much a territorial contest. Different map of course. Howie Carroll was trying to get the north and northwest side Chicago precincts, and hoping JB Pritzker would dilute Jan’s margins in Evanston. But Jan built a monster turnout in Evanston, swamped JB there, and went on to victory.
I don’t know enough about the district today to know where the biggest vote totals are (except of course still Evanston). I’m curious though what Evanstonians would make of voting for a Chicago state rep, even one with a very appealing story like Huynh. I feel right now like Huynh’s base would be somewhere else, and he’s hoping Fine / Biss / Kat / ??? kind of split that part of the district. But, as 47th ward noted, he has been underestimated before.
- Matty - Wednesday, Jul 2, 25 @ 12:15 pm:
The Senate’s chances for the 2026 softball game just got a lot better.
- Rich Miller - Wednesday, Jul 2, 25 @ 12:15 pm:
===just got a lot better===
Now that he’s learned when to run. /s
- Rahm's Parking Meter - Wednesday, Jul 2, 25 @ 12:54 pm:
I have to admit, I laughed at the beginning of the video seeing Hoan walk past my in laws block in downtown Skokie
.
He is a contender if he can consolidate the city.
- ChicagoVinny - Wednesday, Jul 2, 25 @ 12:59 pm:
I’m not in this district although Hoan is my state rep. The amount of complaining about Kat in the comments makes me roll my eyes.
- walker - Wednesday, Jul 2, 25 @ 1:03 pm:
Kat who?
- Northsider - Wednesday, Jul 2, 25 @ 1:20 pm:
== I’m curious though what Evanstonians would make of voting for a Chicago state rep, even one with a very appealing story like Huynh. ==
I’m guessing that those who don’t vote for Biss will have no problem considering a vote for Huynh.
- The Young Gov - Wednesday, Jul 2, 25 @ 1:23 pm:
What actually has Rep Huynh done as a State Rep in three sessions that is not just a PR platitude?
- Socially DIstant Watcher - Wednesday, Jul 2, 25 @ 1:28 pm:
@the young gov: I assume your question isn’t serious; you can look up what bills he’s sponsored and passed as well as anyone can. Just know that the simplest answer is, he’s done more than anyone who hasn’t held office before. There are a couple of those in the primary.
- Rich Miller - Wednesday, Jul 2, 25 @ 1:32 pm:
===he’s done more than anyone who hasn’t held office before===
Hilariously wrong.
I like the guy, but c’mon. https://ilga.gov/House/Members/Details/3418?Primary=True
- Nellie Pudenda - Wednesday, Jul 2, 25 @ 1:38 pm:
Which of the candidates would have deeper gay support, Huynh or Biss? One holds down Andersonville, but the other has a longer…résumé. Remember his gubernatorial primary signs that read “Biss, please!”. Fabulous humor the Evanston mayor has.
- Polibug - Wednesday, Jul 2, 25 @ 1:42 pm:
=I’m guessing that those who don’t vote for Biss will have no problem considering a vote for Huynh.=
I think it is wrong to assume that people in Evanston who dislike Biss will shift towards Huynh when you have other good choices like Fine. People in the comments seem to think this is a race between Biss, Huynh, and Kat when Fine has built quite the good reputation, especially in the suburbs.
- Amalia - Wednesday, Jul 2, 25 @ 2:19 pm:
ah, the messiness of this race. what happened to the days when the district was about a successor to Sid Yates?
- Rich Miller - Wednesday, Jul 2, 25 @ 2:22 pm:
===what happened to the days when the district was about a successor to Sid Yates? ===
It totally ruined JB Pritzker’s political career for the rest of his life.
Oh. Wait.
- Amalia - Wednesday, Jul 2, 25 @ 2:49 pm:
—-oh. wait.—-
yes, that was a battle of the Jewish community. this one is different.
- Phineas - Wednesday, Jul 2, 25 @ 4:05 pm:
Like the guy a lot. Rough edges add diminishes aura of a new gen digital savvy candidate. Needs to do better to catch a wave.
This race will be won blocking and tackling - both traditionally by precinct with endorsers (eg Kelly Cassidy) and digitally.