From Politico Illinois:
Phil Andrews, Jeff Cohen, Kat Abughazaleh, Daniel Biss, Bushra Amiwala and Laura Fine participated in a campaign forum on Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2026, in Evanston.., Shia Kapos/POLITICO
EVANSTON, Ill. — A political forum that began politely turned raucous Wednesday evening when Mayor Daniel Biss accused state Sen. Laura Fine of accepting dark money and donations from Trump supporters. The exchange escalated when former FBI agent Phil Andrew pointed his finger at the candidates, all but declaring that’s what’s wrong with government.
Keeping it civil: The 9th District Democratic congressional forum, organized by the Central Street Neighbors Association, covered a wide range of issues, including the economy, immigration, the Green New Deal and taxes. For much of the night, the conversation remained civil, with candidates even bantering with one another.
On stage: Along with Biss, Fine and Andrew, fellow IL-09 candidates Kat Abughazaleh, Bushra Amiwala and Jeff Cohen also participated.Tensions rose when candidates were asked about the U.S. response to the Oct. 7 attack in Israel and subsequent war in Gaza, an issue in which they have nuanced differences. Fine said, “I believe firmly in a two-state solution.”
Donor dispute: Biss said he also supports a two-state solution, as well as the Block the Bombs to Israel Act. Then, he quickly pivoted to criticize Fine for accepting political donations he says are from supporters of American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) and Donald Trump.Fine pushed back, saying she “believes in freedom and justice for all” and describing herself as “someone who stood up to the biggest bullies in Springfield.” Fine added that she doesn’t keep track of who donates to Trump.
The 100-plus crowd gathered in the basement of the Northminster Presbyterian Church leaned forward to catch every word.
The tense moment was interrupted by Andrew, who gestured toward Biss and Fine, saying, “What’s absurd is how you are seeing two career politicians use an incredibly critical political and nuanced issue as a political football.”
The tense moment was interrupted by Andrew, who gestured toward Biss and Fine, saying, “What’s absurd is how you are seeing two career politicians use an incredibly critical political and nuanced issue as a political football.”
The audience applauded. And later, when Biss again attempted to attack Fine on the issue, some in the crowd booed.The heated forum was held after Fine’s camp released an internal poll showing Fine and Biss in a dead heat. The polling memo is here.
In the money race: Fine has $1,439,970 on hand, according to the latest federal filings, Biss has $1,376,304. Andrew, who trails in the poll, has $961,413. And Abughazaleh, who’s third in the poll, has $810,953 in the bank.
In the money race: Fine has $1,439,970 on hand, according to the latest federal filings, Biss has $1,376,304. Andrew, who trails in the poll, has $961,413. And Abughazaleh, who’s third in the poll, has $810,953 in the bank.
