Candidates campaigned for Illinois’ legislature and the United States House of Representatives ahead of the General Primary Election March 17, 2026.
Evanston native Miracle Jenkins smiles at Fourth of July parade attendees as he campaigns in his hometown. Photo by Evelyn Kraber/ Medill-Northwestern Journalism Institute 
Howard Rosenblum is one of four candidates who campaigned at the parade for the U.S. House of Representatives. Photo by Evelyn Kraber/ Medill-Northwestern Journalism Institute 
A man campaigns for Kat Abughazaleh at Evanston’s Fourth of July parade. Photo by Evelyn Kraber/ Medill-Northwestern Journalism Institute
Kat Abughazaleh was one of multiple political candidates who marched in Evanston’s Fourth of July parade last Friday. The parade’s theme was “Truth Guides, Justice Unites, Kindness Heals,” a message Abughazaleh said her campaign for the U.S House of Representatives hopes to echo.
Abughazaleh said her campaign has two focuses: anti-authoritarianism and basic existence, the idea that everyone should be able to comfortably afford housing, groceries and healthcare.
“The most common thing when I ask people what they care about is democracy,” Abughazaleh said. “They care about ICE coming into their communities and stealing their neighbors off the streets. They care about the fact that their kids’ pre-K program was shut down — not only for their kids but for kids all across the country.”
Also running a campaign for the U.S. House is Miracle Jenkins, a 31-year-old Evanston native. He hopes to get a degree of name recognition in his hometown, according to his childhood friend Emma Cioata, who campaigned with him.
“He’s kind of the little guy from Evanston, born and raised, and very liberal,” Cioata said. “He’s got more liberal views as I think growing up in Evanston gives you.”
Cioata, a lifelong friend of Jenkins, and her daughter rushed over to the parade the second he said he needed support campaigning. She said she would love to have someone like him in office, especially at a time where she feels a lack of support in Congress.
“He was the friend that would call you up at two o’clock in the morning and rant about social injustices and how he wished he could change them,” Cioata said. “I’ve seen him grow and change and become this man, and I’m very proud of it.”
Jenkins’ platform is centered around causes including climate change, livable wages, abortion access and supporting veterans. He calls his vision for the future a “Universal New Deal.”
While multiple floats focused on campaigns for the House, not all candidates participating in the parade were trying to earn a spot in Washington, D.C. Some were running for state offices, including Patrick Hanley whose campaign is focused on the future of Illinois.
“Most importantly, we got to protect our people from Donald Trump and the Trump administration,” Hanley said. “Second, we need a new generation of leadership for the Democratic Party and in Illinois. And then third, we want to build an Illinois that is safe, green and growing.”
For Hanley, attending the parade was not only about the visibility of his campaign. He said attending the parade was also an attempt to reclaim the holiday and celebrate the Evanston he sees in the future.
“What’s so important is that we take the Fourth of July back as an American holiday and remember that America isn’t what happens in Washington, D.C.,” Hanley said. “It is what happens in Evanston. It is what happens here.”
