Ukraine commits to increase defense budget to 7% of GDP - Media.

The progressive social media influencer announced her candidacy for Congress on Monday in Chicago's district represented by Democratic Representative Jan Schakowsky, expressing her dissatisfaction with the Democratic Party's leadership.

'In my opinion, the Democratic Party is not doing enough right now. Adding Congressman Chuck Schumer to the funding bill was simply disgusting, to be honest, and we can't go down this path,' said Kat Abukhazaleh, who announced her wish to run on the social network Bluesky.

Schakowsky, a member of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, has represented this district for decades. The 80-year-old Illinois Democrat has not yet announced whether she will run again.

Abukhazaleh covered the Democratic National Convention as an influential figure on social media and previously worked for the watchdog organization Media Matters For America.

She became known on TikTok for her sharp political humor, and her videos were published in Mother Jones magazine, where she criticized Fox News for how it handled Kamala Harris's presidential campaign.

Abukhazaleh's participation in Illinois politics comes amidst general dissatisfaction with the party among progressive Democrats. Senator Bernie Sanders (Independent) recently urged progressives to run as independent candidates and to stop wearing the popular Democratic label.

Abukhazaleh moved to Chicago in July but voted in the 2024 elections in Washington because her lease had not yet expired, she told POLITICO. She said she registered to vote in Illinois last month and currently lives outside the district but plans to move 'soon.'

'The district itself is really-really-really cool, and I think it deserves more representation options,' Abukhazaleh told POLITICO. 'Since 1998, there has not been a competitive contested election here. I was born in 1999. So I think a big part of why we are in this swamp of rising fascism, with the Democrats' ineffectiveness, is that we are not providing voters with more options. There is not enough diversity of thought or ways to change the institution.'

Recently, Schakowsky said she is considering her next step, stating that she is still 'ready to fight,' but acknowledges that her age is a factor being considered in her thoughts.

'Let's take the word 'progressive' out and let’s talk about what we mean,' Schakowsky said. 'We talk about it as if you have to be progressive to be for things that help people. We need to talk about this better.'

Schakowsky was first elected in the 9th Congressional District in 1998 after eight years in the Illinois General Assembly. In that year's primary elections, she defeated business owner J.B. Pritzker, who became the state governor in 2019.

If Schakowsky does not run again, it is likely that several prominent Democrats from Illinois will show serious interest in the position, including Senator Laura Fine and Evanston Mayor Daniel Biss, both of whom represent their constituents in this district.

CORRECTION: An earlier version of this report attached a caption to a photo that mistakenly identified the subject as Congressman Jen Schakowsky.