26-Year-Old Democrat Might Win Major House Upset Due to One Unlikely Demographic, Poll Shows

Kat Abughazaleh, a 26-year-old former social media influencer, may win a crowded Democratic primary in a major upset due to her strong backing by men and despite lackluster support from women, a recently released poll shows.

Abughazaleh, who worked for Media Matters for America, is in second place among 14 Democrats vying to represent Illinois’ Ninth district, trailing Evanston Mayor Daniel Biss by only four percentage points, according to a poll released Tuesday. The survey of likely primary voters, conducted by Democratic firm Public Policy Polling (PPP) and commissioned by the Evanston RoundTable, showed Biss — widely considered the race’s frontrunner — with 24% of the vote, Abughazaleh with 20% and State Sen. Laura Fine in third place with 14%, with 17% of respondents indicating they were “not sure.”

However, when the poll’s results were broken down by sex, a stark divide emerged. Among men, the Gen Z media personality led with 29% of the vote, followed by Biss at 21% and Fine in a distant third at 12%. However, among female voters, Biss led by double digits, garnering 28% of the vote, with Fine in second at 15% and Abughazaleh tied for third place with State Sen. Mike Simmons at 12%.

Furthermore, 47% of men polled said they have a favorable view of Abughazaleh compared to only 31% who had an unfavorable impression of her. More women on the other hand had an unfavorable view of the influencer (36%) than a favorable view of her (34%), according to the poll.

The Gen Z candidate also enjoyed a significant lead with respondents who identified as “Gender non-binary” with 37% backing her and only 11% supporting Biss.

Abughazaleh’s campaign did not immediately respond to the Daily Caller News Foundation