Biss Wins Illinois 9th District Democratic Primary, Signaling Shift in Party Dynamics

Evanston Mayor Daniel Biss secured the Democratic nomination for Illinois’ 9th Congressional District on Tuesday, March 17, 2026, defeating a crowded field of candidates vying to succeed retiring Rep. Jan Schakowsky. The race, closely watched as a test of the Democratic Party’s direction, saw Biss overcome challenges from political newcomer Kat Abughazaleh and state Sen. Laura Fine, while also highlighting the significant influence of outside spending groups.

A Contentious Primary Reflects Party Divisions

The victory for Biss, endorsed by Schakowsky and Sen. Elizabeth Warren, concludes a highly contested primary with over a dozen Democrats competing for the seat held by Schakowsky since 1999. NPR reports that Biss differentiated himself by emphasizing his experience in elected office and his commitment to progressive causes.

Abughazaleh, a first-time candidate, finished second, four percentage points behind Biss with over 90% of votes counted, according to the Associated Press. ABC7 Chicago noted the race was particularly competitive as it marked the first open election for the seat in 26 years.

The Role of Outside Spending

The Illinois primaries were marked by substantial outside spending, exceeding $50 million across five open House seats and one open Senate seat. The Intercept detailed how over $35 million of this spending originated from groups linked to the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC), as well as the cryptocurrency and artificial intelligence industries.

AIPAC’s involvement was particularly scrutinized, with affiliated groups spending over $22 million in races around Chicago, often through groups with seemingly neutral names like “Elect Chicago Women” and “Chicago Progressive Partnership.” These groups aimed to boost Fine and create divisions among progressive candidates.

The cryptocurrency industry, through the super PAC Fairshake, spent over $13 million, including significant sums against Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton in the Senate race. The AI industry contributed another $2.5 million to House races.

Senate Race Results: Stratton Secures Democratic Nomination

In the Senate race, Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton won the Democratic primary to replace retiring Sen. Dick Durbin. Despite AIPAC’s public neutrality, reporting from The Intercept revealed that at least 27 AIPAC donors contributed to Stratton’s campaign. AIPAC publicly congratulated Stratton after the results, citing concerns about the positions of her opponent, Rep. Robin Kelly, on the U.S.-Israel alliance.

Stratton’s victory also represents a setback for the cryptocurrency industry, which spent heavily against her candidacy.

Other Key Race Outcomes

• 2nd District: Cook County Commissioner Donna Miller defeated former Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr., with significant backing from an AIPAC-affiliated PAC.
• 7th District: State Rep. La Shawn Ford won despite nearly $5 million in spending from AIPAC to support his opponent, Chicago City Treasurer Melissa Conyears-Ervin, and $2.5 million from a crypto PAC against him.
• 8th District: Former U.S. Rep. Melissa Bean is poised for a comeback, benefiting from over $4 million in spending from AIPAC-affiliated PACs, as well as crypto and AI PACs.

Looking Ahead

Biss will face Republican pastor John Elleson in the November general election, but the 9th District is considered a safe Democratic seat. WBEZ reports that Biss’s win is seen as a signal of what Democratic voters are looking for in the next generation of party leaders.

The Illinois primaries demonstrate a growing tension within the Democratic Party regarding the influence of outside money and the direction of its policy agenda, particularly concerning issues related to Israel and emerging technologies.