Kat Abughazaleh Changed What's Possible in Political Campaigning

You’re not supposed to run for congress in a city you just moved to. You’re not supposed to run for office as an anti-Israel Palestinian American in one of the most Jewish districts in the country. And you’re especially not supposed to run for congress as a 26 year old if you didn’t come from an already politically powerful or wealthy family.

But nevertheless, a year ago next week, journalist Kat Abughazaleh announced her candidacy for congress in Illinois’ 9th district, a fucked up looking snake of a gerrymandered district that starts in northern Chicago and skirts around the city’s northern suburbs.

Last night, her campaign came to an end in a closely contested primary election in which she lost by less than 4000 votes.