Kat Abughazaleh

Kat Abughazaleh was born in Dallas, Texas. She earned a bachelor's degree from George Washington University in 2020. Her career experience includes working in journalism.[1]

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

My name is Kat Abughazaleh. I'm a researcher and journalist who has devoted my career to fighting the far-right. I've worked for outlets like Media Matters, Mother Jones, and Zeteo News, but I'm probably best known for my video explainers about Fox News and right-wing media on my personal social media accounts.

I decided to run for Congress because I don't think Democrats are doing enough to stand against fascism, to make billionaires pay their fair share, and to protect the working class. And unfortunately, our leadership in the House of Representatives refuses to acknowledge the true impact that the far-right, the Internet, and working class struggles have on our country — and that's part of the reason Democrats keep losing elections.

I'm trying to run a progressive grassroots campaign that I can be proud of. I'm not taking a cent of corporate cash and I'm trying to spend our money in ways that help people now, rather than waiting to make a difference in my community until I'm elected. By making our events engaging, centered around mutual aid, and accessible to everyone no matter their income, my campaign is showing our values rather than providing lip service with nothing to show for it.

In my spare time, I like reading space operas, doing crafts like embroidery and knitting with my friends, and hanging out with my partner, Ben, and our cat, Heater.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

ANTI-AUTHORITARIANISM

Donald Trump, tech billionaires, and the Republican Party have banded together to break this country. Their vision is fascist, one of a militarized country where only a few dozen rich men have a seat at the table. We will not and cannot let them win.

The Democratic strategy of cowering to this administration is not only morally reprehensible but it also won't work. Every authoritarian movement has shown us the only way to stand up to fascism is loudly, proudly, and every single day.

I have been doing that for my entire career thus far, and I won't stop in Congress. I will speak out, use what I have to slow this administration wherever possible. And I will make sure my constituents know they are not alone.BASIC EXISTENCE

My bold vision is that every American should be able to afford housing, healthcare, and groceries with money left over to save and spend (crazy, right?). This should be the lowest bar possible and it is for many of our peer countries. But in the United States, that idea is considered by many, particularly the richest and most powerful, to be a pipe dream.

Our existence isn't merely a means of profit for the richest people in society. These ideas shouldn't be controversial and are at the very core of my campaign. We're often told that it's a lot more complicated than we think but it doesn't have to be. We deserve to thrive, not just survive — and every political leader should work towards that goal.DEMOCRATIC REFORM

Our democracy is broken. Our current system functions too much on greed, rewards stagnation, and disincentivizes change. That's why we need a serious overhaul of our electoral system.

We must overturn the Supreme Court's egregious Citizens United ruling and depoliticize the Court by instituting a binding code of ethics and 18-year term limits.

Congress also must be overhauled. We need to talk seriously about multi-member districts, expanding the House, and ranked-choice voting, as well as federal rules against gerrymandering. And as soon as possible, there must be a federal ban on members of Congress trading individual stocks, regulations against lobbying after leaving office, and enforcement of both.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Public policy should be about helping others and I'm particularly passionate and interested about policies that serve communities to the fullest extent they can: climate action that also provides jobs and public transportation, reproductive care access that ensures we also research and decrease our maternal mortality rates, educational funding that allows our students of all levels to succeed and thrive while also feeding them. There are so many avenues we can take to make this country better, and the best part is that, when done correctly, many of them have greater impacts than anyone expected in the first place.

Is there a book, essay, film, or something else you would recommend to someone who wants to understand your political philosophy?

I'd point to Parable of the Sower by Octavia Butler. Beyond being an incredible book about the worst conditions — conditions we might face as climate change accelerates and governments abandon the most vulnerable in society — it also revolves around hope, specifically hope rooted in change.

The first verse from the Earthseed philosophy outlined in Parable of the Sower is written in the front of my planner: "All that you touch / You Change. / All that you Change / Changes you. / The only lasting truth / Is Change."

Life can be hard. Circumstances can be unfair. But the world will change for better or for worse, whether we want it to or not. And it's our responsibility to not only welcome but also usher in change to make a world we want to see.

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

Empathy and dedication. If you're asking to represent people, it is your responsibility to take your job seriously even when it is difficult. Empathy is a muscle you have to continually flex to maintain. That means returning to your district as often as you can, talking to as many of your constituents as you can (and not just the ones who donate), and reminding yourself that your elected office is a job and a privilege, not something you are entitled to.

What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?

I'm very firm in following my own moral code, even to my own detriment — personally or financially. I've always struggled to understand how politicians are willing to compromise their beliefs, especially when it comes to others' basic dignity. It's the wrong thing to do, but also... it's just embarrassing. Have some dignity, man.

What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?

Elected officials have a responsibility to ensure they are representing their constituents, even the ones who didn't vote for them. This doesn't mean compromising your own values or compromising on every basic premise. But it does mean defending your district, ensuring constituent services are receptive and accessible, ensuring that you communicate as transparently and effectively as possible, and working tirelessly to find common ground among your community. This means being open about your beliefs and your campaign's finances, answering questions and not shying away from criticism, and actually showing up to your job — the thing you were elected to do.

What legacy would you like to leave?

I hope that by the end of my life, I have helped others find their voice and power. I think the best thing you can do as a human being is uplift others to the point that they accomplish even bigger and better things than you. We all have our own experiences that shape us and we all think about the world in different ways. How cool would it be to see someone propose and enact solutions that you never even imagined?

What was your very first job? How long did you have it?

I was worked as a bartender in college. I worked from open to close six days a week and continued bartending on the weekends even after I started working at Media Matters. Frankly, I've learned more from bartending than any other job I've ever had: social skills, team-building, time management, conflict de-escalation, and so much more. If everyone worked in the service industry for just a few months, I think we'd all be a lot nicer to each other and more considerate of the struggles other people face.

What is your favorite book? Why?

I already wrote something about Parable of the Sower in my responses here so I'll pick Clan of the Cave Bear by Jean M. Auel. It was the first book I ever read from my parents' library at home and opened my eyes to complex themes I had never considered. As an adult, I recognize and appreciate how my parents encouraged me to read anything I wanted, even books that some might consider "too mature" for children. Literature is the best way for kids and adolescents to learn about difficult and harsh realities in a safe way. When I read about Ayla's struggles with discrimination, communication, and violence in prehistoric Europe, I sat down with my mother and we talked about them as equals, even though I was around 11-years-old. Because of that, I felt more informed growing up in the world, like I had a better understanding of events around me and issues I may face as a young woman. I can't thank my mom enough for that.

Also the amount of research Auel did for that book pre-Internet always impresses me. And if you read it, I bet you'll feel the same way.

What was the last song that got stuck in your head?

Sir Duke by Stevie Wonder

What is something that has been a struggle in your life?

I have narcolepsy (Type 2), a condition where the brain fails to make a normal amount hypocretin, the chemical that keeps you awake. Throughout high school, I was known for falling asleep in class and, when called on by teachers, able to jolt up, answer a question correctly, and then immediately fall back asleep. I wasn't diagnosed until I was 18, after my car was totaled when I fell asleep at a red light. That diagnosis changed my life as I finally understood why I was so tired and could be medicated for it.

My quality of life has improved drastically since my diagnosis but that also brings its own set of challenges. Navigating our medical and pharmaceutical system with chronic illness is more difficult than I expected and accepting my own limitations has also been a specific type of struggle. Once I was able to make my own schedule after college, I began listening to my body more, learning how I could balance daily life with sleep and how to forgive myself for rough days.

Around half of Americans have some type of chronic illness and many of us can't always afford to get the care and treatment we need. I want to see a country where everyone can have the fortunate experiences I did: the ability to get diagnosed, to get treatment, and to live in a world where your strengths and weaknesses, your capabilities and limitations are not only embraced but accommodated.

What qualities does the U.S. House of Representatives possess that makes it unique as an institution?

Unfortunately, most of the unique qualities of the House of Representatives are to its detriment. Partisan gerrymandering runs rampant across the country and has caused the House to lose credibility as an institution and harms Americans who are not being represented as they should. The size of the House is also arbitrarily capped at 435 members, despite our country growing exponentially. This means that elected officials are expected to serve the needs of hundreds of thousands of people across their districts with that number growing every year. Voters deserve national conversations about the benefits and possible disadvantages of House expansion and multi-member districts.

The idea behind the House of Representatives — to allot representation proportionately and geographically — is admirable and can still be achieved with proper and effective democratic reforms. But we need to have those conversations and take action to ensure that American democracy is the best it can be.

Do you believe that it's beneficial for representatives to have previous experience in government or politics?

Government or political experience can be beneficial but we also need our legislators to have a variety of different backgrounds and experiences. If everyone is just a politician or just a lawyer or business owner, many issues Americans face become to easily overlooked or abstracted. To properly lead such a diverse country, we need a diverse House and Senate with different experiences that reflect that American experience. I'm proud of my experience fighting the far-right and holding their feet to the fire as they stand against the values most Americans hold dear.

Government experience can also be a disadvantage. People can become too easily corrupted or complicit in corrupt systems. Likewise, the ivory tower mindset that many people who serve as legislators develop makes them more disconnected from the real issues that people face day-to-day. I'm a former journalist, student, and service worker and those three experiences equip me as well as anyone else to serve in the House of Representatives.

What do you perceive to be the United States' greatest challenges as a nation over the next decade?

Inequality is being exacerbated by some of the most systemic issues in our society right now: lack of accountability for the ultra-rich, climate change, and the right-wing effort to dismantle our social services. If we want to make any progress, we have to address the root of that inequality. We have to acknowledge that prices have risen while wages have stagnated. We have to acknowledge that most people cannot afford a $1,000 emergency expense, much less a home. We have to acknowledge that while solutions might not be easy or fast, we need to strive towards them to not only ensure a better present but a better future as well.

The rise of authoritarianism isn't unique to the United States and Trump's unraveling of a decades-old (if admitted flawed) global order puts Americans and the rest of the world at significant risk of economic turmoil, undoable damage to the climate, and even all-out war.

Do you believe that two years is the right term length for representatives?

No. House terms should be four years as the current two-year length results in many representatives focusing more on their own job security and reelection prospects rather than the job they were elected to do. If House terms were four years, representatives would have more time to focus on actual representation instead of campaign concerns like fundraising. Longer terms would also allow representatives to cast morally upstanding votes instead of being concerned about how special interests will impact an election that's just around the corner.

What are your thoughts on term limits?

I personally support the idea of term limits and have committed to not serving more than five terms in the House if elected. But I do understand the arguments against them, especially (1) that they could eliminate lawmakers' ability to build policymaking experience and (2) encourage corruption from lawmakers who get in to make money instead of pursuing a career in public service. I'd also consider the option of upper age limits for elected officials, just as we have lower age limits for the House, Senate, and presidency. Similarly, I understand the argument against age limits because of concerns of ageism and depriving voters of democratic options. These are just a few suggestions on how we can ensure that our leadership doesn't stagnate. We live in a fluid and dynamic world, especially now, and we need a legislative body that reflects that. The national discourse should continue to uplift and discuss conversations like these about how to make our government work best for all Americans.

Tell us your favorite joke.

The American government.

Do you believe that compromise is necessary or desirable for policymaking?

Yes, compromise can be necessary, but I feel like many of our lawmakers — and in particular, Democrats — forget that compromise means that both sides have to make a sacrifice and both sides should get something out of the end result. Even more importantly, too many politicians are willing to compromise on what counts as basic human dignity. In a perfect world, we'd all agree on every solution, but that's not reality. We have to work through problems to find common ground, but that should only happen when we're working from the premise that everyone deserves rights, safety, and the ability to comfortably afford housing, groceries, and healthcare, no matter their income, race, gender, sexuality, background, or any other demographic. We simply cannot compromise on that fact.

The Constitution says that all bills for raising revenue must originate in the House. What role would this power play in your priorities if elected?

We need a budget that prioritizes Americans’ needs and wants ahead of those of special interests. Every American should be able to afford housing, groceries, and healthcare with money left over to spend and save. While almost every voter would agree with that sentiment, corporate lobbying exists to stop that idea from becoming reality.

In the House, I intend to advocate for budgets that put Americans first: their health, their livelihoods, their families, and the services and institutions in our government that benefit real people rather than corporate profits.

How should the U.S. House use its investigative powers?

First and foremost, House investigative powers need to hold the Executive Branch accountable. Our checks and balances exist for a reason and while Donald Trump is pushing them to their limits, House members need to remember that the legislative branch is supposed to be one of three equal parts of our government, not a submissive B-team beholden to the whims of the president.

Second, the United States dispenses billions of dollars to foreign countries and entities and much of that money is misused or never accounted for to begin with. The House needs to ensure American money abroad is not only spent responsibly but also as a net good to the world and our country. With any foreign aid, a certain level of loss and misuse can be expected but that doesn’t excuse the House from working to mitigate those risks. Likewise, the House must ensure that all foreign military aid is being used in compliance with American laws like the Leahy Act.

Third and finally, House investigative powers have been abused for decades, used — particularly by the Republican Party — to carry water for fake scandals and culture war bullshit. Just because someone is elected to the House does not mean it’s permissible to push hateful and inaccurate narratives for political purposes. There need to be protocols to remove investigative powers from those who abuse them.

What committees interest you?

The committees I’m most interested in if elected are the Oversight, Ethics, and Foreign Affairs Committees.

We need more accountability in our political system and be able to develop new protocols to ensure that accountability. Oversight provides a useful tool to hold the executive branch and its agencies accountable. Additionally, I would use my position on the Oversight Committee to draw attention to the Trump administration’s active harms to Americans and my constituents.

In the Ethics Committee, I would work tirelessly to hold other members of Congress and myself accountable not to our bank accounts but the American people. If we want Congress to work, we have to make sure that elections and politics are about advocating for popular policies, not catering to the highest corporate bidder. Likewise, members of Congress should not be able to trade individual stocks and on the Ethics Committee, I would push for regulations and codes that would curb this corrupt behavior.

As for Foreign Affairs, our foreign policy track record shows that when the US steps into foreign wars or geopolitical power vacuums, especially in Central America and the Middle East, we usually leave the situation much worse than how we found it. Our government continues to claim we can’t afford to address the climate crisis or pay reparations or make healthcare a human right for all, as children in the US go hungry and veterans are unhoused. On the Foreign Affairs Committee, I would advocate for policy that uplifts rather than destroys and prioritizes human rights and dignity above all else. I would also raise serious concerns about friendliness with foreign nations and entities that abuse human rights.

What are your views on financial transparency and government accountability?

Since the Supreme Court's Citizens United decision, money has equated to speech in American politics which has had disastrous effects on our political system. Candidates and PACs should be subject to more stringent reporting requirements and Congress must take legislative action to undo the Citizens United ruling.

Financial disclosures are, of course, important for candidates and elected officials to submit, but I also think they should be easier to find and even openly publicized by candidates and politicians. After I posted my financial disclosures, I can't count the number of people who told me they didn't even know this form existed in the first place.

But we can't just accept the bare minimum (i.e. knowing the financial interests of our elected officials and keeping dark money out of politics). We have to take action against political corruption for financial gain. Members of Congress should not be able to trade individual stocks while in office due to insider trading concerns. Ones who do should face scrutiny, not just by voters but by the House Ethics Committee. Additionally, Citizens United needs to be overturned so corporations and dark money don't have a larger voice than voters and the Supreme Court needs a binding code of ethics to ensure they don't take bribes and there should be an easier process to remove them from office in the event that they violate that code.

Campaign websiteAbughazaleh's campaign website stated the following:Anti AuthoritarianismDonald Trump, tech billionaires, and the Republican Party have banded together to rapidly and illegally break this country, all at the expense of our most vulnerable. Their vision is fascist, one of a militarized country where only certain people — a few dozen rich men — have a seat at the table. We will not and cannot let them win.Historical antifascist movements all prove the same thing: The only way to properly fight fascism is loudly, proudly, and every single day. And that principle must be upheld by those in public office. This means actually fighting, not just writing letters or wearing matching outfits, like many Democrats did at Trump's joint address to Congress.I refuse to stand by as Trump and Bovino attack my constituents. As your Congresswoman, I will take my experience fighting the far-right to Capitol Hill and beyond. I will not vote for authoritarian bills in the name of "compromise," I will not abandon or demonize vulnerable groups to cater to the right, and I will not change my stances for fear of retaliation.Instead, I'll continue to speak out against authoritarians. I will take the fight to them, whether it's the House floor or on the streets where ICE is attacking us. And I will do everything in my power to make sure constituents know they are not alone. Whether it's regular updates online or in-person town halls, I promise you will not be left out in the cold.Basic ExistenceThe United States is the richest country in the world and yet most Americans can't even afford a $1,000 emergency expense. We have the most billionaires of any country but also the most medical bankruptcies. And while prices have increased by about 50% in the last 15 years, the federal minimum wage has stayed stagnant at a mere $7.25.This is nonsense. We deserve better.You should be able to comfortably afford housing, groceries, and healthcare each month with plenty of money left over. There's no reason you should have to take an Uber to the hospital to avoid an ambulance bill while Elon Musk collects a $1 trillion paycheck. Our existence isn't merely a means of profit for the richest people in society. These ideas shouldn't be controversial and are at the very core of my campaign. We're often told that it's a lot more complicated than you think, but it doesn't have to be.We need more people in Congress who see basic existence as a black-or-white issue. Taxing billionaires and corporations is not some woke crusade against merit. It's simply making them pay their fair share like the rest of us do. It's time to ditch indecision and greed so we can demand what the working class deserves: a life lived in pursuit of happiness, rather than constant fear of poverty.We can fund crucial government programs and subsidize nonprofits through government grants by implementing a modest 2% wealth tax on Americans with net worths over $50 million. We can raise the minimum wage to $25 per hour with increases adjusted for inflation. We can guarantee paid family and medical leave, universal childcare, and so much more. Existence is a right, not a privilege and we can't let anyone tell us otherwise.Climate ChangeThe climate crisis is an existential threat and the Trump administration's subservience to Big Oil will only accelerate the planet's warming. We need urgent action which is why I endorse the Green New Deal, including the creation of a Civilian Climate Corps to create millions of good-paying jobs that will ensure a speedy and sustainable transition to renewable energy across the board.Despite what the right may have told you, the Green New Deal is not some woke scam to ban beef farming or take away your old Corvette. It's a plan for revitalization, not just for the climate but for our economy, our country and our planet as a whole: clean water, clean air, clean energy, more green space, and millions of jobs, just to name a few of the benefits.But climate action isn't just about planning for a better future because, unfortunately, our world is being hit with unprecedented disasters right now. That's why we must bolster federal disaster aid including increased funding for FEMA. Any cuts to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association by Trump must be reversed, and more research into climate, weather, and environmental science should be funded by the federal government.Climate change is also a racial and economic justice issue. Too often, the people at the frontlines of this emerging crisis are part of impoverished or marginalized communities. This isn't an abstraction or some woke nonsense: think of the Dakota Access Pipeline plowing through sacred Native American land or "Cancer Alley" in Louisiana disproportionately affecting poor and Black people. A proactive response to the climate crisis requires addressing these disparities head-on and taking lessons learned by these communities to a national and global scale.Corporate ConsolidationI’ve already gone toe-to-toe with the richest man in the world on multiple occasions. I’ve looked hundreds of billions of dollars and virtually unlimited political power in the eye and still have done what was right: holding Elon Musk accountable at every turn and calling out his innumerable lies as well as his attacks on our democracy — and that was even before he tried to take over the government.Experiences like these consistently inform my views on antitrust legislation and commitment to limiting corporate consolidation, especially when that consolidation imperils our democracy. As a key example, Elon Musk’s takeover of Twitter, now X, has contributed to the spread of misinformation, disinformation, and hate speech, imperiling our democratic processes and truth itself. Billionaires cannot be allowed to use their wealth to consolidate control of information networks to further enrich themselves and convert their immense wealth into political power. These power grabs aren’t just about billionaires maximizing their own power, it’s also about actively disenfranchising people without the same financial resources. Profits, whether those of billionaires or other shareholders, should never come at the expense of democracy, peace, or pluralism. As just one example, Elon Musk’s takeover of Twitter has led to a substantial increase in far-right content on the platform, including neo-Nazism and antisemitic conspiracy theories.To prevent the conversion of immense wealth into immense political power, I support a constitutional amendment overturning the disastrous Citizens United ruling and clarifying that money and speech are not the same under the law.Democratic ReformWe should all agree Congress is broken. Our current system functions too much on greed, rewards stagnation, and disincentivizes change. That's why we need a serious overhaul of our electoral system. Conversations about democratic reforms like multi-member districts and ranked-choice voting are crucial to restoring trust in our government.First and foremost, we must overturn the Supreme Court's egregious Citizens United ruling which has allowed virtually unlimited sums of money to flow into American elections. Money is not speech — period.I fully support a national conversation abou