Trending Now - Influencers Targeted With Cash Offers in Illinois Election

WHO:

Kat Abughazaleh, candidate for Illinois's 9th Congressional District

Jan Schakowsky, retiring Representative of Illinois's 9th Congressional District

Daniel Biss, Evanston Mayor and primary opponent

Laura Fine, state Senator and primary opponent

Amanda Informed, TikTok and Instagram influencer approached by Democracy Unmuted

Justin Kralemann, Missouri political influencer known as "The Woke Ginger"

Democracy Unmuted, dark money group

Matt Anthes, founder of Advocators and facilitator of the dark money offer

Abigail Bellows, senior policy director of Common Cause

WHAT:

Abughazaleh is running against 15 other Democrats in the primary for the chance to replace Jan Schakowsky.

Democracy Unmuted offered at least two social media influencers $1,500 each for a negative post about Abughazaleh.

The memo from Democracy Unmuted requested influencers to encourage voters to "look past viral personalities."

Abughazaleh's campaign has called the claims against her "defamatory."

Abughazaleh has been endorsed by Rep. Ro Khanna and Justice Democrats.

WHERE:

Illinois's 9th Congressional District

Chicago, Illinois

WHEN:

The primary election is scheduled for March 17th, 2026.

Abughazaleh moved to the district in May 2025.

Democracy Unmuted registered its website two weeks prior to the report.

WHY:

The dark money group aimed to undermine Abughazaleh's campaign by portraying her as a candidate focused on attention rather than impact.

Abughazaleh's campaign strategy is to reach voters through digital platforms, reflecting a shift in political campaigning.

HOW:

Abughazaleh's campaign has relied on small dollar donations through livestreams on Twitch.

Influencers were approached with cash offers to create negative content about Abughazaleh.

(UPDATED March 14, 2026 13:20 UTC)

In the race for Illinois's 9th Congressional District, Kat Abughazaleh is vying against 15 other Democrats to succeed retiring Representative Jan Schakowsky, with the primary election set for March 17. Recently, the dark money group Democracy Unmuted reportedly offered social media influencers $1,500 each to post negative content about Abughazaleh, who has called these claims "defamatory" and has been endorsed by Rep. Ro Khanna and Justice Democrats. Abughazaleh's campaign strategy focuses on engaging voters through digital platforms and small dollar donations via livestreams on Twitch, reflecting a modern approach to political campaigning.