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“For the remainder of my term, and beyond, I vow to continue
taking every opportunity possible to fight for my community and
my country,” Schakowsky, 80, said in a statement. “I will do
everything in my power to secure equal rights for all, an
economy that works for everyone, not just the rich, universal
health care, reproductive rights, environmental protections and
climate security, and so much more.”
Her announcement comes less than two weeks after Sen. Dick
Durbin of Illinois, the Senate’s No. 2 Democrat, announced he
won’t seek a sixth term in 2026.
Schakowsky announced the news Monday during an annual luncheon
she hosts in Chicago. Attendees included Illinois Gov. JB
Pritzker, who lost a Democratic congressional primary to
Schakowsky in 1998.
A former Illinois state legislator and onetime public school
teacher, Schakowsky became a congresswoman in 1999. She has been
easily reelected in contests since then, including in November
when she defeated Republican Seth Allen Cohen, who served in the
U.S. Marines.
In recent years, Schakowsky has focused on health care,
immigration and issues affecting senior citizens. She sits on
the House Energy and Commerce Committee. She's also been a vocal
critic of President Donald Trump and skipped both of his
inaugurations.
Schakowsky said Monday that she's most proud of her work to help
draft the Affordable Care Act, consumer protections and
legislation to help senior citizens. Her term ends in January
2027.
The heavily Democratic 9th District includes Chicago
neighborhoods along Lake Michigan and a mix of wealthy and
middle-class suburbs north and northwest of the city.
Before Schakowsky's announcement, one person had already
declared a 2026 run.
Kat Abughazaleh, 26, is a progressive political influencer and
journalist who raised more money than Schakowsky in the quarter
that ended in March, bringing in $379,000 to Schakowsky’s
roughly $213,000, according to Federal Election Commission
filings. However, Schakowsky still has more than double the cash
on hand with $877,000.
Other potential candidates are Evanston Mayor Daniel Biss, a
former state lawmaker, and two state legislators, Rep. Kelly
Cassidy and Sen. Laura Fine.
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