Career Timeline of Kat Abughazaleh: Major Achievements and Milestones

Discover the career path of Kat Abughazaleh, from the first major opportunity to industry-changing achievements.

Kat Abughazaleh, also known as Kat Abu, is an American journalist, social media influencer, and political commentator. She is known for her critique of Tucker Carlson while at Media Matters for America. Her writing has been featured in publications like Mother Jones and The New Republic. In 2025, she announced her candidacy for the U.S. House of Representatives in Illinois's 9th congressional district.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements

2014: Service on Girl Scouts Board Begins

In 2014, Kat Abughazaleh began serving on the board of directors of an Arizona Girl Scouts organization.

2018: Daniel Biss's Gubernatorial Primary

In early May, after Schakowsky's announcement, Daniel Biss, the 2018 Democratic gubernatorial primary runner-up, announced his candidacy.

2018: Organizing Administrator for Everytown For Gun Safety

In the summer of 2018, Kat Abughazaleh served as Northeast Region Organizing Administrator for Everytown For Gun Safety.

January 2023: Starts TikTok Account

In January 2023, Kat Abughazaleh started a TikTok account, where she covered Tucker Carlson and his show.

May 2024: Named Political Influencer and Layoff

In May 2024, Kat Abughazaleh was named on The New Republic's list of "25 Political Influencers to Watch in 2024". She and 11 colleagues were also laid off from Media Matters following a lawsuit by Elon Musk.

July 24, 2024: Hired by Mother Jones

On July 24, 2024, Mother Jones announced that they hired Kat Abughazaleh as a video creator to produce content on democracy, far-right media, disinformation, and radicalization. She also joined Zeteo.

August 2024: DNC Participation

In August 2024, Kat Abughazaleh was invited to cover the Democratic National Convention as a content creator. She participated in an Uncommitted sit-in and interviewed Ro Khanna.

September 2024: Politico Highlights TikTok Prominence

In September 2024, Politico highlighted Kat Abughazaleh's prominence on TikTok and predicted her account would play an outsized role in the last 50 days of the presidential race.

March 2025: Abughazaleh Announces Congressional Campaign

In March 2025, Kat Abughazaleh announced her campaign for the United States House of Representatives in Illinois's 9th congressional district.

March 24, 2025: Abughazaleh Announces Congressional Run

On March 24, 2025, Kat Abughazaleh announced her candidacy in the Democratic primary election for Illinois's 9th congressional district seat.

May 2025: Potential Congressional Firsts

As of May 2025, it was noted that if elected, Kat Abughazaleh would be the youngest woman, the first Gen Z woman, and the second Palestinian-American woman ever elected to Congress.

2025: Webby Award Nomination

In 2025, Kat Abughazaleh was nominated for a Webby Award in the "News & Politics: Creators" category for her coverage of the far right.

2025: Campaign Contributions and Challenger

In the first week of the campaign in 2025, contributions totaled over $378,000. In mid-April, David Abrevaya became a second challenger in the primary.

2026: Schakowsky Announces Retirement

In early May, 2026, Jan Schakowsky announced that she would retire at the conclusion of her term. Following the announcement, other candidates joined the race.