Some CD9 news updates
Wednesday, Dec 10, 2025 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Some folks yesterday wondered why Evanston Mayor Daniel Biss won the Illinois AFL-CIO’s endorsement in the super-crowded 9th Congressional District Democratic primary. One reason is he achieved tangible results for union members. Click the pic for a larger image…
* CD9 Democratic candidate Sen. Laura Fine publicly campaigned for the endorsement. I asked her for react…
“I’m proud of my pro union voting and legislative record and look forward to making that case directly to the voters.”
* Kat Abughazaleh’s apparent response…
Honored to announce that I have been officially endorsed by Cheddarbob!
#catsforkat
[image or embed]
— Kat For Illinois HQ (@katforillinois.bsky.social) December 8, 2025 at 2:39 PM
And that’s an indication of another big reason why labor didn’t go for her. Subscribers know more.
* Meanwhile, speaking of Abughazaleh…
History…
That’s two out of three broken promises. But, it doesn’t matter because she’s on cable now and that can move numbers, despite what she claimed earlier.
* Press release…
A coalition of progressive congressional candidates including Bushra Amiwala will hold a press conference on Thursday, December 11th at 10:00 AM at Federal Plaza to call attention to the growing influence of AIPAC and other big-money special interests in Illinois elections.
The press conference will spotlight how unchecked outside spending distorts democracy, undermines community voices, and threatens to drown out grassroots campaigns backed by labor, working families, and local organizers.
“This moment demands honesty with voters,” said Kina Collins, a progressive candidate in Illinois’ 7th District. “Big-money PACs, like AIPAC, are attempting to buy influence in our elections. Our communities deserve transparency, accountability, and candidates who answer to the people, not to billionaire-funded special interests.”
Bushra Amiwala, candidate in Illinois’ 9th district, said offers to take corporate PAC money are nothing new to her.
“Since I first ran for office as a teenager, I have received scores of offers to take money from corporate PACs. I have never accepted it, and for good reason,” said Amiwala. “I will not be beholden to special interests. Nor will I be compromised by foreign lobbying groups like AIPAC that seek to covertly sway our lawmakers—and, in many cases, succeed. I answer only to my constituents. That will never change.”
* Press release…
Orthodox Jewish community leaders in the Illinois 9th Congressional District have announced an endorsement of Bruce Leon for Congress, marking a significant moment of collective support ahead of the March Primary Election.
A letter signed by Rabbis, respected community figures, and long standing civic partners affirms Bruce Leon as the candidate whose character, leadership, and record of service best reflect the values and priorities of the community. The letter highlights Bruce’s long history of showing up for families in moments of difficulty, his deep personal investment in the community’s wellbeing, and his commitment to strengthening education, public safety, and support for Israel.
According to the signatories, Bruce “is one of us and he is for us.” The endorsement cites his reputation for compassion and integrity and notes that this campaign has demonstrated the discipline, seriousness, and momentum needed to win a competitive election in the 9th District. […]
There are about 14,000 Orthodox Jewish residents in the 9th Congressional District, vast majority of whom do not normally vote in primary elections. A strong turnout of this community in the March 17 Primary for Leon instantly reshapes the race, creates a decisive voting bloc, and ensures that the community’s priorities are represented where the real election is taking place.
* Background is here if you need it. This is a very odd way of testing Laurie Dann’s name ID in CD9. Who’s gonna give a school-shooting, kidnapping murderer a favorable rating, for crying out loud?…
CD9 Democratic candidate Phil Andrew was shot by Dann during her violent crime spree.
- Rahm's Parking Meter - Wednesday, Dec 10, 25 @ 2:06 pm:
I got the survey with Dann on the Metra and almost spit out my drink.
Bruce Leon’s campaign is clearly one of ego. There is angst in the Jewish community and he clearly will not get out no matter what. It is eating into that moderate lane.
- NIU Grad - Wednesday, Dec 10, 25 @ 2:11 pm:
She might be up to three out of three broken promises if she has any of the DSA campaign kids consulting for her…otherwise known as “consultants who haven’t won an election this century.”
- Leatherneck - Wednesday, Dec 10, 25 @ 2:21 pm:
After the primary, if there are still cheesemakers around in the Chicago area, one of them should sculpt a bust in the shape of Bob Newhart’s head entirely in cheese, and say, “This is the true Cheddar Bob.” Maybe it can be on display at the State Fair alongside the Butter Cow next August.
- Northsider - Wednesday, Dec 10, 25 @ 2:23 pm:
Welp, that will get me taking Kat seriously, then.
- Rich Miller - Wednesday, Dec 10, 25 @ 2:23 pm:
===any of the DSA campaign kids===
They did pretty well in NYC
- Rockford Rich - Wednesday, Dec 10, 25 @ 2:25 pm:
So now the political traveler, running for Congress in a state she didn’t even live in a year ago, is lying to voters in the district to convince them of her grift……I have to hope the voters will see her for what she is.
- Three Dimensional Checkers - Wednesday, Dec 10, 25 @ 2:30 pm:
Wait, does organized labor view Ms. Abughazaleh as an unreliable, immature candidate? I can’t see why anyone would form that conclusion.
- localgovhero - Wednesday, Dec 10, 25 @ 2:35 pm:
Here is whats telling. FEC information concerning Kat’s large money givers, show that her big donations are coming from out of state. Same with er small money. Biss’s large money is from Illinois. Same with a lot of his small money. It is clear that Kat is a carpetbagger
- Steve - Wednesday, Dec 10, 25 @ 2:35 pm:
Mayor Biss got the union endorsment. Can’t bring down costs of many things with his track record. That’s stuff is expensive.
- Leatherneck - Wednesday, Dec 10, 25 @ 3:11 pm:
=They did pretty well in NYC=
Speaking of which, Kat’s “endorsement” seems like something you would see on SNL. Or Letterman back in the day.
- New Day - Wednesday, Dec 10, 25 @ 3:19 pm:
Toonces supports Kat (SNL deep cut).