What Kat Abughazaleh’s Follower Demographics Reveal About Her Electability—and Disconnect with Women Voters
Social media doesn’t always tell the full story—but sometimes it tells the right one.
According to publicly available analytics, progressive candidate Kat Abughazaleh’s Instagram following is comprised of 74% men under the age of 34. That leaves only 25% of her following made up of women—many of whom do not fall within the core demographics of her district’s voter base.
This isn’t a throwaway stat. It’s a window into how her message is landing—and more importantly, who it’s not landing with.
Women Aren’t Buying It
Let’s start with the obvious: Illinois’ 9th Congressional District isn’t made up of anonymous online accounts. It’s home to real families, working moms, and community-minded women in places like Evanston, Skokie, Wilmette, and surrounding areas.
And if Abughazaleh’s digital reach is any indicator, these women—who have historically been one of the most engaged, consistent voting blocs in the region—aren’t resonating with her platform.
A follower base dominated by young men under 34 suggests that her appeal is rooted more in internet performance than in community trust. It raises an important question: Is she running for Congress or performing for clicks?
In stark contrast, 76% of my own followers are women, with 63% of them aged 24 and up—a demographic that consistently shows up at the polls, especially in midterm elections. These aren’t passive spectators; they’re engaged, informed, and deeply invested in the future of their families and communities. That’s the difference between building a movement and chasing a moment.
A Brand Built on Raunch and Rage
Abughazaleh has built her online brand on aggressive rants, inflammatory language, and performative political content that’s more interested in dunking on opponents than serving constituents. Her content often veers into the vulgar and unfiltered—a style that might drive views, but doesn’t necessarily build trust with voters who expect professionalism, substance, and a focus on real-world solutions.
There’s a reason mothers and working women might be tuning out.
While Abughazaleh courts online virality, many women in the district are focused on practical issues: rising grocery bills, deteriorating schools, public safety, and whether Illinois is still a place worth raising a family. That’s not the kind of content going viral on her timeline—and it’s likely why it’s not attracting the people who are actually going to the polls.
The Data Doesn’t Lie: Youthful Male Followers Don’t Win Midterms
Statistically speaking, the demographic Abughazaleh is currently popular with—men aged 18–34—is one of the least likely to turn out in midterm elections. In 2022, voter turnout among young men under 34 hovered around 23–25%. Meanwhile, turnout among women over 35—the same group underrepresented in her follower base—was more than double that.
This matters.
If your campaign is building momentum online with a group that isn’t going to show up at the ballot box, you don’t have momentum—you have a mirage.
And for a district like IL-09, that could prove fatal to a candidacy that seems more built for Twitter than for the real world.
Leadership Should Resonate, Not Just Perform
The job of a Congressperson isn’t to go viral—it’s to listen, represent, and legislate. It’s to earn the trust of people who are raising kids, starting businesses, caring for aging parents, and trying to make sense of a political climate that feels increasingly hostile to everyday values.
A serious candidate should reflect those concerns—not drown them out with social media theatrics.
Voters Deserve More Than a Persona
At the end of the day, follower counts don’t vote. Algorithms don’t knock on doors. And no amount of likes will replace the power of a well-informed, values-driven electorate.
Kat Abughazaleh’s social media success with young men may fuel her internet presence—but the women and mothers of Illinois’ 9th District deserve more than a digital persona. They deserve someone who reflects their values, understands their challenges, and fights for their families—not just their feed.
