Even if she’s not going to win, she’s using her campaign to help real people right now. Props for that.
The criticism that she only recently moved to the district is in bad faith. How many of the city’s mayors had residency loopholes? We should be encouraging and welcoming visionary newcomers like Kat who are seeking to make an impact, especially given the state’s population drain.
I think she’s amazing and wish her nothing but luck.
I know that if she is spending money this way, she’s doing it on the up-and-up with only the right intentions.
But I can’t get over thinking that political campaigns doing charity work starts to resemble “a chicken in every pot” vote-buying. I would love it if someone who knows campaign finance law better than me could comment on the legality of it.
tbf, her campaign used funds to fill a food pantry in her district. in-turn, signs were donated for her campaign.
this kind of “tit-for-tat” happens a lot in politics but generally aren’t so public about it because
- it seems like illicit activity
- it usually involves illicit activity
both of which are untrue in this instance. I’m sure the signs were worth more than the food her campaign donated, but the important part is that if you did donate to her campaign at least you know it helped the district out even if her run ends without a win.
Vote buying is legal now. Elon did it the last two elections.
But also, that’s not what she is doing. She is using campaign funds to have dinners (legal) and then asking attendees to bring items to donate and then giving those items to other needy people. None of that would be illegal even if we were still a country of laws.
She’s doing a beach clean up tomorrow. She’s invited everyone out to volunteer and ask her questions. It’s a little far from me and I’m but in her district but, still considering attending just to see what’s up.
I wonder if once elected she would be able to get taxpayer dollars directed in such a way, or if this is activity mainly enabled by the freedom and increasingly unregulated campaign system of American politics.
We don’t need more Glusencamp-Perez or Fetterman types in office, but if this campaign actually translates into real, meaningful policy towards the hungry and homeless (if only in Illinois)? Can’t complain, though that feels unlikely in this environment.
Once you’re in place and have access to tax dollars instead of campaign funds, you get them spent on things by putting that community infrastructure into place.
One problem with that is they’re running for a collective position. In their campaign, they’re captain of their own ship. A congresswoman is more a crewmate. Greater power, but more divided.
One thing they would be able to do, though, is never stop campaigning. They’ll be less active, as a congresswoman, but the campaign pivots to next election (which, let’s be honest, that’s already the norm, there is no break from politics anymore), and that next election can be focused on on-the-ground community campaigning the entire time.
So, no, you won’t see the same level of activism with tax dollars, they don’t lead, but she and others that follow her can do good consistently with their position through campaign funds and fight for good in their government while that happens.
Curious what your issues with glusencamp-perez are? I don’t live in her district, but seems like she represents her constituents fairly well for how politically split the district is…but again I’m not necessarily in the know.
She does in that she votes conservative and against the Democratic Party platform often. There was hope she would help further working class issues in deeper red territory but it has more resulted in supporting deep red social issues as a Democrat. (She helped block abortion and trans rights in the military under Biden, etc.)
I saw her political videos on TikTok. She would give explanations about the content that was aired on Fox N*** over the last little bit of time, coverage that you might have missed, and how things are being portrayed to its viewers. Her segments were very well done and very useful.
I knew who it was before I even read her name. I hope she wins and does good things.
Her parents are rich Republicans. She’s unemployed. She’s coming in from outside the district she’s trying to run for, despite living in a contestable district. She doesn’t even live here yet and she’s trying to run. She’s incredibly suspicious even at surface value.
So I’m not from the USA and have heard the argument that she’s suspicious because she’s out of district a couple of times. So why is that bad? (I have no clue about american politics so I hope the question isn’t dumb)
Its not, they are making bad faith arguments because they dont like progressive politics where your views and policies actually help people. They want to continue with fascist politics
It is. Usa politicians are meant as representatives of their districts, never living there brings question to that.
I’m active in politics and extremely progressive. I just don’t want someone with blatantly suspicious origins to be my congressperson.
Usa politicians are meant to represent their districts, and be in tune with their issues. Others often fail at that, but our current one is extremely active replying to calls and fixing issues. As such, having one that isn’t from the district brings to question if they will be able to continue the actual connection, and draws question on if they’ll actually understand our district’s issues and goals.
That said, our current one is old af and does need a replacement. I just don’t want it to be from out of district.
Ok, that’s understandable! Thanks for the explanation.
You ever work for Correct the Record?
Edit: Everyone, please don’t feed this known troll. https://sh.itjust.works/modlog?userId=94883
I’ve never heard of it, but a quick glance shows it was around before I got involved.
Also, it seems to be completely irrelevant. There is no front runner at this time, the race hasn’t even started yet and there is no incumbent.
I’m simply mad that an out of district candidate is trying to plant themselves into my district without so much as pretending to be in the district beforehand. She isn’t trying to really connect with the community, she’s just leveraging her influencer vibes to gather support with no proven record.
Influencers becoming politicians is rarely something that works out.
If she had made an effort to move here, put in routes and actually get involved with the community instead of just saying shit online, my opinion on her would be different.
All of your complaints are covered in her many many materials. Why don’t you stop astroturfing this comments section?
Also if you want to run against her, she’ll help you fill out the paperwork and start your campaign. Because check it out, it’s an open primary. You can run as well. You obviously have the time. Look at your involvement in this thread.
https://www.thenation.com/article/politics/kat-abughazaleh-interview-congress-campaign/
You obviously have the time. Look at your involvement in this thread.
I’m on vacation fight now, man. Flat out, I cannot run for the position. 25 years of age is the minimum requirement.
All of your complaints are covered in her many many materials
No. My primary complaint about her being out of district is covered by no serious answer.
You’re spending your vacation doing this? That’s a weird way to spend it honestly.
She didn’t move there to run against Jan Shakowski. She moved there for her boyfriend’s work, before Jan announced her retirement. Then she saw a district she could run in, then she started her bid. Then Jan retired seeing that she wouldn’t be running unopposed. Then she posted the video saying hey this is an open primary, I got my candidacy up and running, red tape was a bitch, I’ll help you fill out your paperwork to run, and I’ll throw you 1k for your candidacy site.
You’re not arguing in good faith so I’m going to leave the below for others.
https://www.axios.com/2025/03/24/kat-abughazaleh-jan-schakowsky-primary-challenge
She’s trying to show that money in politics can be used at the community level and is foregoing large media ad buys like TV ads and the like and instead is funding food outreach and beach cleanup. Call it what you want but I’m happy that the tens of thousands, potentially hundreds of thousands are being pumped back into our local community here.
I think you might be best served to go enjoy your vacation away from a screen. Cast your ballot like we all will be, or don’t. I seriously don’t care as you’re very convinced of your primary position and I’m not going to reason you out of a position you didn’t reason yourself into.
Her videos and work at media matters are excellent as well.
Knowing enough about the US this is probably highly illegal
Historically - buying votes with alcohol was a thing. Think 1890’s - 1920’s corruption - Tammany Hall. Probably how Edgar Allen Poe died - voting multiple times in exchange for alcohol.
Not only that she’s likely a Republican funded plant. She’s trying to run in my district, but she doesn’t even live here yet, and she’s planning to run for our congressperson. It’s horrifying tbh and I’m going to help campaign against her
What kind of anxiety do you have and how do I not get it?
Have you done any research into her? She’s an influencer type who has been posting progressive content for a while.
Anxiety? Yeah sure, someone who has never even lived in our district is trying to run being bad is anxiety.
She’s an influencer type
Yes, she’s influencer. That’s bad.faking your views is easy
She has a pretty well documented history of working in progressive media and pushing progressive points. If having conservative parents means someone is a conservative then my wife, myself and ALL of my progressive and liberal friends are faking it. Dang it.
No, alone it doesn’t mean anything. However, when you consider the other factors, is what becomes suspicious
deleted by creator
That’s bad.faking your views is easy
For example, you’re pretending that she’s a republican because you don’t like people to your left running. Or feeding the poor.
She’s not to my left… Lmfao. I’m about equal to her stated viewpoints. Albeit more radical on environmental.
. Or feeding the poor.
Oh wow, I don’t like buying votes. Jeez, who would’ve thought?
She’s not to my left…
k.
Everyone Please don’t feed this Fredthefishlord troll
bad reasoning for both counts
I’d like to also add that on reddit she is known for astroturfing the evanston, Illinois, and cook county subreddits.
you can edit comments
I’ve had issues on some lemmies with edits not showing up. I was unsure exactly what caused the issue, so if it’s relevant I try not to just edit
It is not remotely reasonable to run for districts you’ve never lived in. There’s no good politicians who do it.
By that logic bet you think CO’s Lauren Boebert’s ® tenure is completely legit, then.
Typical.
That’s a complete fallacy. Me believing one thing does not mean I believe the inverted is true
centrists love pretending that everyone to their left is actually a republican.
I’m not a filthy fucking centrist. Maybe by lemmy standards, but I’m left of 90% of Americans
You mentioned your post history elsewhere, so I had a look, and… nope. Your post history is largely unpleasant and tinged with bouts of xenophobia.
Genuinely, what? Xenophobia? Clear tell that you did not even slightly look at my post history and are making shit up. Either that, or you think my anti china stance on the basis of their authoritarianism is xenophobia…
https://sh.itjust.works/modlog?userId=94883
Everyone, please don’t feed this troll.
This is HORRIBLE! We NEED to Make Sure this Person FEEDING THE POOR LOSES!
-Chuck Schumer and the DNC!
What elections are in March?
Primary elections for this congressional District seat and others will be held in March 2026.
My God we need to shorten campaign timelines.
That right there is a beautiful woman
Shit no kidding inside and out
This is the way
She’s born in the same year as I am. That’s great!
Could Kat fix the backward ass US healthcare system and labor laws?
could this be seen as bribery of the public?
Absolutely. She’s in the pocket of Big Homeless.
New rap name, called it
It’s misappropriation of campaign funds, are you kidding me?
If she’s using the money and her campaign feeds homeless people to attract attention then I can’t possibly imagine how it would be misappropriating money.
Should she be paying it as a salary to one of her cousin’s, maybe she should be buying ad spots on network television?
We’re talking about her and she used the money. What the hell do you want?
“hey if you elect me I’ll buy you stuff” is the same as elon’s gifting of money.
she should be buying ad spots on network television
It’s literal years before the election. She shouldn’t even be running a campaign yet.
Exactly. Imagine donating, expecting it to go towards a hard-working advertising firm, only for it to be frittered away on charity that nobody even notices.
I thought she’s asking for food/goods donations rather than money
He doesn’t care. He’s here to punch left.
Yeah, I can see that now.
By the same people who didn’t think Elon was buying votes, yeah.
