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Rating legend
Our pick Community-aligned, on the record
Secondary pick Aligned but lower-polling
Mixed record Partial, unknown, or no strong position
Watch out Hedged or concerning record
Reject AIPAC-linked or disqualifying record
Federal · Statewide

U.S. Senate — Illinois

Replacing retiring Sen. Dick Durbin · Democratic primary winner heavily favored in November · 10 Democrats on ballot
Three-candidate top tier: Krishnamoorthi leads polling at ~35%, Stratton at ~19%, Kelly at ~10%. The Democratic primary winner is almost certain to win in November — making this the most consequential statewide race for Muslim voters.
Polls conducted: 3+ public surveys (Nov 2025 – Feb 2026) Avg sample: ~700–1,000 LV/RV Source: Data for Progress, internal campaign polls, Feb 2026
Raja Krishnamoorthi
35%
Juliana Stratton
19%
Robin Kelly ★ our pick
10%
All others / undecided
36%
Kelly is our pick despite polling third — she has the strongest Muslim-community alignment and is the only top-tier candidate to call it genocide. Krishnamoorthi leads but carries the weakest record on our issues and is one of the largest AIPAC recipients in Congress. 36% undecided means this race is more fluid than the numbers suggest.
Sources: Multiple public surveys, Feb 2026. Polls show consistent 3-way spread. Race may tighten in final weeks.
Robin Kelly
U.S. Rep., IL-2 (vacating) · 20 years in Illinois politics
Our pick
🇵🇸 Palestine Called it genocide at Feb 19 WGN debate. Co-sponsors Block the Bombs Act to halt weapons transfers to Israel.
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🚫 AIPAC Pledged to refuse AIPAC going forward but accepted AIPAC PAC donations in March–April 2025 before entering race.
🛂 Immigration Co-sponsored impeachment of DHS Sec. Noem. Strong anti-ICE congressional record.
🏥 Medicare for All "People Over Profits" platform — explicitly supports M4A. Attacks Krishnamoorthi for healthcare industry donations.
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📈 Polling ~10% — third tier, but strongest on our issues by far. Endorsed by ILMAN and IMPAC.
Juliana Stratton
Illinois Lt. Governor · Second-in-command under Pritzker
Mixed record
🇵🇸 Palestine Called suffering "terrible" at Feb 19 debate. Did not use "genocide" or call to end military aid.
🚫 AIPAC Did not pledge to refuse AIPAC at forum or debate. Gov. Pritzker is a major AIPAC ally.
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🏥 Healthcare Supports expanding healthcare access but has not explicitly endorsed Medicare for All.
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📈 Polling ~19% — second place but weaker on community issues. Institutional Democrat with establishment backing.
Raja Krishnamoorthi
U.S. Rep., IL-8 (vacating) · Polling frontrunner
Watch out
🇵🇸 Palestine Refused to say "genocide" at debate — "people are extremely divided." One of the largest AIPAC donation recipients in Congress.
🚫 AIPAC Has not pledged to refuse AIPAC. Described as one of the largest AIPAC recipients in Congress historically.
🏥 Medicare for All Does not support M4A. Has accepted significant donations from healthcare industry.
📈 Polling ~35% — clear frontrunner. High name recognition and campaign war chest, but weakest record on our key issues.
Federal · Cook County · North Side Chicago, Evanston, Skokie, Niles, North Shore

U.S. Congress — IL-9th District

Jan Schakowsky's open seat · 15-person primary · Heavily Democratic district — primary winner wins in November
Latest polling: Biss ~31%, Abughazaleh ~18%, Fine ~18%, Simmons ~4–6%, Amiwala ~4–6%. This is the most Muslim-community-watched congressional race in the state, with multiple candidates directly endorsed by Muslim civic orgs.
Polls conducted: 2–3 surveys (Oct 2025 – Feb 2026) Avg sample: ~600–800 LV Source: Data for Progress (Oct/Nov 2025), internal campaign polls
Daniel Biss
31%
Awareness: ~57% · Conversion rate: 54% — leads the field
Kat Abughazaleh ★ our pick
18%
Awareness: ~54% · Conversion rate: 33% — strong upside as name recognition grows
Laura Fine
18%
Awareness: ~38% · Boosted by $1.17M AIPAC-linked PAC spending
Mike Simmons ★ secondary
5%
Bushra Amiwala ★ secondary
5%
Field / undecided
23%
Kat is polling at 18% but has the strongest issue-alignment conversion: every voter who learns about her is ~33% likely to support her. Biss leads but equivocated on genocide and has an AIPAC history. With 23% still undecided, late movement is very possible — especially from Muslim and Arab American voters who make up a meaningful share of the district.
Sources: Data for Progress (Oct 29 – Nov 3, 2025, n=600 LV), internal campaign aggregates. Conversion rate = vote share ÷ name recognition from DfP crosstabs.
⚠️ AIPAC Alert: AIPAC-affiliated PACs have spent $1.17M+ on pro-Fine advertising. If you are in IL-9, be aware that Fine is the AIPAC-backed candidate in this race.
Kat Abughazaleh
Journalist, researcher · Palestinian-American · First-time candidate
Our pick
🇵🇸 Palestine Calls it genocide. Calls to end all U.S. military aid. Only top-3 candidate to never meet with AIPAC.
🚫 AIPAC Rejects all corporate PAC money. $3M+ raised, avg donation $31. Explicitly refuses AIPAC. Endorsed by TrackAIPAC.
🛂 Immigration Calls to abolish ICE. Campaign office is a mutual aid hub. Faces federal indictment for protesting at Broadview ICE facility.
🕌 Muslim community Palestinian-American, facing Islamophobic attacks from opposing surrogates. Endorsed by ILMAN, IMPAC, Rep. Abdelnasser Rashid.
🏥 Medicare for All Explicitly supports Medicare for All. Strong economic justice platform. Endorsed by Justice Democrats.
Daniel Biss
Mayor of Evanston · Former IL State Senator · Polling frontrunner
Mixed record
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🇵🇸 Palestine Calls it "atrocities." Supports ceasefire but refused to say "genocide" when directly asked at Feb 20 forum.
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🚫 AIPAC Met with AIPAC previously. Now rejects them. Fine accused him of hypocrisy — AIPAC said they "didn't trust him."
🛂 Immigration Calls to abolish ICE. Evanston is a sanctuary city — he has governed on this, not just talked about it.
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🕌 Muslim community Did not condemn Carroll's Islamophobic posts targeting Muslim candidates in this race.
📈 Polling ~31% — frontrunner in most surveys. Strong on many issues but equivocated on genocide question.
Mike Simmons
IL State Senator, 7th District · Chicago progressive
Secondary pick
🇵🇸 Palestine Uses the word "genocide." Supports cutting military funds. Publicly called out Fine's AIPAC donations at forums.
🚫 AIPAC No AIPAC donations. Progressive grassroots fundraising. Endorsed by TrackAIPAC.
🛂 Immigration Calls to abolish ICE. Personally intervened when ICE stopped a man during a community patrol.
📈 Polling ~4–6%. Strong values alignment but significant structural gap in a crowded field. Endorsed by TrackAIPAC.
Bushra Amiwala
Skokie School Board · First Gen Z elected official in U.S. · Muslim-American
Secondary pick
🇵🇸 Palestine Supports cutting military aid and permanent ceasefire. Uses "genocide." Among first elected officials to sign JVP ceasefire letter.
🕌 Muslim community Muslim-American woman. Endorsed by MCC-Activate, NIAMA, IMPAC. Has faced direct Islamophobic targeting in this race.
🛂 Immigration Calls to abolish ICE. Leads ICE Rapid Response Trainings. Active in Muslim/immigrant communities in Skokie and Niles.
📈 Polling ~4–6%. Strong community endorsements but significant gap vs. top-tier candidates in a 15-person field.
Laura Fine
IL State Senator, 9th District · AIPAC-backed candidate
Reject
🇵🇸 Palestine "Cannot believe in tying Israel's hands — I've been in the bomb shelters." Does not use the word genocide.
🚫 AIPAC AIPAC-affiliated PACs spent $1.17M+ on pro-Fine ads. Fine has not returned donations or condemned the spending.
🕌 Muslim community Supporter Rep. Jonathan Carroll posted anti-Muslim content targeting Muslim candidates. Fine has not publicly condemned this.
Federal · Cook County + DuPage/Kane · Northwest suburbs

U.S. Congress — IL-8th District

Open seat — Krishnamoorthi vacating to run for Senate · Schaumburg, Elgin, Des Plaines, NW suburbs
No independent polling published. Bean perceived as frontrunner by name recognition and establishment support. Ahmed leads in progressive endorsements and grassroots fundraising. Muslim-American candidate running in a race with clear AIPAC-linked activity.
No independent polling published for this race. Polling organizations have not surveyed this open seat as of Feb 2026. What we do know:

Melissa Bean — perceived frontrunner by name recognition from her 2005–11 congressional tenure and early establishment support. Leads in early financial backing. AIPAC-linked PAC reportedly active on her behalf.

Junaid Ahmed — leads in progressive endorsements (Justice Democrats, Bernie Sanders, PAL PAC). Strongest grassroots fundraising base. No corporate PAC money.

In low-information open seat races, endorsement stacks and ground game often outperform early name recognition. Ahmed has the stronger ground-level coalition.
⚠️ AIPAC Alert: "Elect Chicago Women" — an AIPAC-linked PAC — reportedly spending on Melissa Bean's campaign in this race.
Junaid Ahmed
Tech entrepreneur · Muslim-American · First-time federal candidate
Our pick
🇵🇸 Palestine Explicit ceasefire and end to military aid. Endorsed by Justice Democrats and Palestinian-American orgs. No AIPAC connection.
🛂 Immigration Explicitly calls to abolish ICE. Running anti-ICE digital ads. Frames Bean as the establishment candidate.
🕌 Muslim community Muslim-American candidate. Endorsed by MCC-Activate, IMPAC, and Illinois Muslim community organizations.
🏥 Medicare for All Supports M4A as part of progressive economic platform. Rejects all corporate PAC money. Endorsed by Bernie Sanders.
🌿 Climate Supports Green New Deal. No fossil fuel PAC money. Endorsed by progressive climate orgs.
Melissa Bean
Former U.S. Rep. (2005–11) · Returning establishment candidate
Reject
🇵🇸 Palestine No public ceasefire or military aid position found. Her 2005–11 congressional record includes pro-Israel votes.
🚫 AIPAC "Elect Chicago Women" — AIPAC-linked PAC — reportedly spending on her campaign. No AIPAC refusal pledge.
🛂 Immigration No pledge to abolish ICE. Centrist record from prior congressional service.
Federal · Cook County · South Side Chicago, south suburbs

U.S. Congress — IL-2nd District

Robin Kelly vacating to run for Senate · South Side Chicago and south suburbs · Strong progressive coalition active
No public polling. Donna Miller leads fundraising. Robert Peters leads progressive and Muslim-aligned endorsements including Bernie Sanders. Jesse Jackson Jr. attempting a comeback after resigning in 2013 amid corruption charges. Willie Preston chairs IL Senate Black Caucus.
No public polling published for this race.

Donna Miller — leads fundraising as of Q4 2025. Institutional backing including Carol Moseley Braun. AIPAC-linked PAC "Affordable Chicago Now" reportedly spending on her behalf.

Robert Peters — leads progressive endorsement stack (Bernie Sanders, MCC-Activate, IMPAC, Rep. Maxwell Frost). Strongest grassroots base. No corporate PAC money. Led IL effort to end cash bail.

Jesse Jackson Jr. — attempting political comeback after resigning in 2013 amid federal corruption charges (pleaded guilty, served 2.5 years). Name recognition present but record is disqualifying.

Peters has the Sanders/MCC-Activate endorsement combination that signals deep progressive credibility. Miller leads money but our community's interests are better served by Peters.
⚠️ AIPAC Alert: "Affordable Chicago Now" — an AIPAC-linked PAC — reportedly spending on Donna Miller's campaign in this race.
Robert Peters
IL State Senator, 13th District · Bernie Sanders-endorsed progressive
Our pick
🇵🇸 Palestine Explicit ceasefire and end to military aid position. Endorsed by Bernie Sanders.
🚫 AIPAC Rejects corporate PAC money. No AIPAC connection. Progressive grassroots fundraising model.
🛂 Immigration Led IL effort to end cash bail for nonviolent crimes. Strong criminal justice reform record in state senate.
🏥 Medicare for All Supported by Sanders — the signature M4A advocate. Strong economic justice positioning throughout.
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🕌 Muslim community Endorsed by MCC-Activate. No specific anti-Islamophobia statement found in campaign materials.
Donna Miller
Cook County Commissioner, 6th District · Fundraising leader
Reject
?
🇵🇸 Palestine No public ceasefire or military aid position found. AIPAC-linked PAC spending reported on her behalf.
🚫 AIPAC "Affordable Chicago Now" — AIPAC-linked PAC — reportedly spending on her campaign. No refusal pledge.
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🛂 Immigration Endorsed by Carol Moseley Braun and pro-immigration advocates. No ICE abolition pledge found.
Willie Preston
IL State Senator, 16th District · Chairs IL Senate Black Caucus
Mixed record
?
🇵🇸 Palestine No clear public position found on ceasefire or military aid to Israel.
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Overall Established IL Senate figure. Chairs Black Caucus. Institutional candidate with limited public record on community-priority issues.
Jesse Jackson Jr.
Former U.S. Rep. IL-2 (resigned 2013) · Comeback attempt
Reject
Overall Resigned from this seat in 2013 amid federal corruption charges (pleaded guilty, served 2.5 years). Attempting political comeback. Record on current issues not established.
State · Statewide · Illinois

Illinois Comptroller

Open seat — Susana Mendoza not seeking re-election · Manages state finances, audits, and debt · 4-way Democratic primary
The Comptroller oversees state finances, audits, and debt management. Croke leads fundraising and has the Chicago Tribune endorsement. Villa carries stronger progressive and Muslim-aligned endorsements. No independent polling published.
Karina Villa
IL State Senator · Latina progressive · West Chicago suburbs
Our pick
Progressive record Endorsed by ICIRR (state's largest immigrant rights coalition), Arise Chicago, and New IL Party — strongest immigrant rights endorsement stack in this race.
🕌 Muslim community Endorsed by MCC-Activate and AMVOTE (Arab/Muslim Political Action Committee).
Accountability Strong labor coalition backing including SEIU IL State Council, CTU, and progressive orgs. Track record on economic justice legislation.
Margaret Croke
IL State Rep., 12th District · Chicago Tribune endorsed
Mixed record
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Establishment backing Chicago Tribune endorsement. Fundraising leader. Endorsed by IL Senate President Don Harmon. More centrist Democratic positioning.
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Progressive concerns Less robust immigrant rights and progressive coalition support compared to Villa. No AMVOTE or MCC-Activate endorsement.
Illinois State Legislature · Cook & DuPage Counties

IL State Senate & State House

Varies by address · Key Muslim-community races in Cook and DuPage counties
These are the Muslim-relevant state legislative races where community endorsements are strongest. Your specific races depend on your address — use My Ballot to confirm which ones are on your ballot.
Note: State legislative districts vary by address. The candidates below represent the races where Muslim civic organizations have issued endorsements or where community-relevant candidates are running. Check My Ballot after entering your address to confirm which races are on your specific ballot.
Ram Villivalam
IL State Senator, SD-8 · First South Asian elected to IL Senate · Running unopposed in primary
Our pick
Transit & community Chief sponsor of major IL transit reform legislation (SB2111). Former SEIU labor organizer. Strong constituent services on Devon Ave corridor.
🕌 Muslim community Endorsed by MCC-Activate and IMPAC. Represents the Devon Ave South Asian/Muslim corridor in Chicago.
Nabeela Syed
Currently IL House District 51 · Running for IL Senate District 26 upgrade
Our pick
Healthcare legislation Passed legislation capping prescription drug price gouging in the IL House. Strong healthcare and consumer protection record.
🕌 Muslim community Muslim-American legislator endorsed by MCC-Activate and ILMAN. One of the few Muslim elected officials in Illinois.
Abdelnasser Rashid
IL State Rep., HD-21 · Palestinian-American · Running for re-election
Our pick
🇵🇸 Palestine Palestinian-American state representative — the strongest pro-Palestine voice in IL legislature. Endorsed Kat Abughazaleh for IL-9.
🕌 Muslim community Endorsed by MCC-Activate, ILMAN, and IMPAC. Has faced Islamophobic attacks and emerged as a community champion.
Climate Supports Green New Deal and aggressive climate action. Endorsed by Sunrise Movement.
Demi Palecek
Army National Guard veteran · Communications consultant · HD-13 challenger
Our pick
Progressive record Pro-choice, strong on civil rights. Endorsed by The Justice Coalition, AFSCME, CTU, and 46th Ward Democrats.
🕌 Muslim community Endorsed by MCC-Activate. Running against incumbent with a less progressive record in a competitive primary.
Ready to see detailed issue-by-issue ratings?

The Scorecards page shows every candidate rated across 6 issues with sourced tooltips — Palestine, AIPAC, immigration, healthcare, Islamophobia, and climate.

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