U.S. Rep. Jan Schakowsky endorses Daniel Biss to succeed her in 9th District
Longtime Democratic U.S. Rep. Jan Schakowsky has endorsed fellow Evanstonian Daniel Biss as her successor in the 9th Congressional District.
“I feel a deep responsibility to ensure our residents are represented by someone who fights for our progressive values, has a deep understanding of our community, and knows how to get big things done,” Schakowsky said Wednesday in a news release issued by the Biss campaign. “I am confident that Daniel Biss is that person, and I am proud to endorse him.”
Biss said he is “deeply honored” to have Schakowsky’s backing in the crowded race for the seat she’s held since 1999.
“Jan’s moral clarity and courage are part of what moved me to start organizing more than 20 years ago, and she has been a role model for me ever since,” Biss said in the same news release. “It means the world to me that she trusts me to continue her remarkable legacy.”
Biss released a video on social media featuring Schakowsky’s endorsement, too.
Biss, Evanston’s mayor since 2021 and a former state legislator, is among 17 people running for the Democratic nomination in the 9th District. Others include former internet personality Kat Abughazaleh of Chicago; state Sens. Laura Fine of Glenview and Mike Simmons of Chicago; and state Rep. Hoan Huynh of Chicago.
Four Republicans also are running in the March 17 primary.
Stretching between Chicago’s North Shore and the Crystal Lake area, the 9th District includes parts of Cook, Lake and McHenry counties. It hasn’t sent a Republican to Congress since the 1940s.
In her lengthy endorsement, Schakowsky — considered one of the more progressive members of Congress — called Biss “an effective and fearless fighter for progressive causes.” She noted Biss has stood against federal immigration enforcement efforts in the Chicago area, including in a much-publicized, face-to-face confrontation last month with U.S. Border Patrol leader Gregory Bovino in Evanston.
Schakowsky also warned that voters “cannot allow out-of-state donors and special interests to buy this seat.” Last week, 9th District candidate Bruce Leon alleged a lobbying group called the American Israel Public Affairs Committee has been pressuring his supporters to persuade him to drop out so Jewish voters would consolidate behind Fine.
Schakowsky, Leon, Biss and Fine all are Jewish, but Fine is the only current candidate in the 9th whose campaign AIPAC has promoted — even as Fine has denied having the group’s support. AIPAC has been critical of Biss and Abughazaleh, too.
Biss and Abughazaleh have been the financial front-runners in the race, with each having raised more than $1 million in campaign contributions as of Sept. 30, the most recent available data shows. Reports covering fourth-quarter transactions are due Jan. 31.
Abughazaleh was the first candidate in the race, announcing her bid before Schakowsky revealed she would retire. Abughazaleh wouldn’t comment about Schakowsky’s endorsement Wednesday, but her campaign released a 30-second commercial on social media that starts with the candidate asking, “Aren’t you sick of career politicians not understanding the moment we’re in?”
When asked if that remark was a veiled criticism of Schakowsky and Biss, an Abughazaleh spokesperson said the ad speaks for itself.
Fine issued a statement Tuesday evening as word of a potential Biss endorsement spread.
“I respect Congresswoman Schakowsky's service, but this race is about the future of our community, not the past,” Fine said. “She’s wrong about Daniel Biss.”