Bethany Johnson, a trans woman running on a progressive platform, has openly opposed fellow candidate Abughazaleh. Johnson accused supporters of Abughazaleh on Bluesky of making hurtful jokes at her expense, which she characterized as harassment. In response, Johnson staged protests outside Abughazaleh’s office, including roller-skating in her underwear and making herself vomit on the premises. As a result, Abughazaleh sought a court order against Johnson, citing stalking and seeking to prevent further encounters.
Additionally, Abughazaleh faces significant competition from Daniel Biss, a well-regarded local progressive known for his tenure as mayor, during which Evanston became the first city in the U.S. to offer reparations to Black residents. Biss has garnered endorsements from prominent figures, including U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren, and has emerged as a leading candidate in polling commissioned by Abughazaleh’s campaign.
Despite these challenges, Abughazaleh expressed strong confidence in her candidacy during a summer interview, stating, “Extremely,” when asked about her chances of winning. Seated in her office, surrounded by volunteer-made signs and items available for community members, she opted not to discuss her opponents.
“We have the momentum,” she asserted, noting a steady influx of donations and a significant endorsement from U.S. Representative Ro Khanna, who described her as “the absolute best that the Democratic party has to offer.”
Abughazaleh is also prioritizing grassroots campaigning, frequently making three to six stops a day. She has enlisted a Gen Z campaign manager, Sam Weinberg, with a focus on mutual-aid initiatives, including community clean-ups and events requiring contributions of essential items like menstrual products for entry. In August, her campaign distributed hundreds of backpacks filled with school supplies to local children. This grassroots approach has been positively received, with numerous community members visiting her office to deliver donations.
“I understand far-right narratives and conspiracy theories in a way that many of our lawmakers do not. I’m the most effective communicator,” Abughazaleh stated, highlighting her experience in addressing complex political issues.
Her campaign has drawn comparisons to those of other young progressive leaders, such as Zohran Mamdani, who won the New York mayoral primary, and Deja Foxx, who recently lost in the Arizona primary. While Mamdani’s success was influenced by his established political background and the weaknesses of his opponent, Abughazaleh seeks to learn from these examples as she emphasizes personal engagement with constituents and targets those less likely to participate in elections.
On one occasion, about 40 people gathered at her campaign headquarters to prepare for canvassing the community this fall, contributing to a total of more than 6,000 volunteers recruited for her campaign. Abughazaleh aims to energize individuals who feel disconnected from traditional political channels, with many volunteers appearing more aligned with activist movements than conventional party campaigns.
