WASHINGTON — Democratic candidates aligned with the far-left legislative “Squad” went 0 for 6 in Illinois House primary races Tuesday evening, dealing a blow to insurgent dreams of taking control of the party following the November midterms.
“Being endorsed by @BernieSanders, @RoKhanna, @justicedems and @sunrisemvmt was a kiss of death in Illinois,” the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) cheered on X as the results rolled in.
“Democratic voters rejected their extreme anti-Israel candidates, instead choosing mainstream candidates. AIPAC is proud to help defeat six would-be Squad members tonight!”
Perhaps the most significant defeat for the far left was influencer Kat Abughazaleh’s loss to Evanston Mayor Daniel Biss in the 9th Congressional District.
Biss and Abughazaleh held many identical stances, such as wanting to abolish Immigration and Customs Enforcement and endorsing a single-payer health care system.
Biss was also backed by Congressional Progressive Caucus Chairman Greg Casar (D-Texas), former CPC Chair Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.) and Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.).
“Squad” Rep. Rashida Tlaib shouts as President Donald Trump delivers the State of the Union address in Februrary. AP
Ilham Omar joined in the heckling at the president’s State of the Union speech. AFP via Getty ImagesBut Abughazaleh was considerably bolder in her tactics, even getting herself arrested and charged last year for trying to impede ICE during a September 2025 protest in Broadview, Ill.
The Palestinian-American Abughazaleh enjoyed the backing of Reps. Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.) and Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.), but it wasn’t enough to overcome Biss.
Kat Abughazaleh lost to progressive Evanston Mayor Daniel Biss. AP
The Illinois primaries were a key test for the “Squad”-aligned left’s attempt to take down moderates. APIn addition to Abughazaleh, the remaining Illinois candidates targeted by AIPAC included activist Kina Collins in the 7th District; tech businessman Junaid Ahmed and Village of Hanover Park Trustee Yasmeen Bankole in the 8th District; and Skokie school board member Bushra Amiwala, who also ran in the 9th District against Biss, Abughazaleh, and 12 other Democratic candidates.
In the 9th District, AIPAC had backed state Sen. Laura Fine (D-Chicago), who finished third behind Biss and Abughazaleh.
Illinois state Sen. Robert Peters (right) lost his bid for Illinois’ 2nd Congressional District. Robert Peters / InstagramIn the 8th District, AIPAC-backed former Rep. Melissa Bean (D-Ill.) prevailed by 5.1 percentage points over Ahmed, who was backed by Warren, Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and the CPC.
In the 2nd District, Cook County Commissioner Donna Miller, also supported by AIPAC, edged out former Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr., with lefty state Sen. Robert Peters (D-Chicago) coming in a distant third.
“The common sense wing of the Democratic Party looking pretty good tonight,” former Jill Biden spokesman Michael LaRosa, a critic of the far left, exulted on X in response to Bean’s win.
In the Democratic Senate primary, Illinois Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton prevailed over the comparatively moderate Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-Ill.).
Stratton, who has pushed to abolish ICE and vowed to challenge Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer’s (D-NY) leadership status, was backed by Gov. JB Pritzker, who has attracted chatter about a potential 2028 presidential run.
