Democrat Congressional Candidate Cites Medical Condition After Missing Key Virtual Event
A 26-year-old Democrat candidate for the House of Representatives has offered a dramatic medical explanation after failing to appear for an important virtual event, attributing her absence to a sleep disorder. Kat Abughazaleh, who is running for a congressional seat in Illinois, missed a Tuesday night event organised by the George Soros-backed Indivisible Project, sparking questions about her reliability as a political contender.
Narcolepsy Disclosure and Sleep Attack Explanation
In a statement shared on her social media platforms late on Tuesday evening, the 2026 congressional hopeful revealed she suffers from narcolepsy. She described the condition as causing extreme tiredness and occasional "sleep attacks," during which her brain cannot remain awake. Abughazaleh emphasised that her condition is typically well-managed but, like many disabilities, experiences flare-ups. She stated that Tuesday represented one such episode, resulting in her sleeping through multiple alarms, phone calls, and even her campaign manager repeatedly knocking on her door.
The candidate told her followers that her statement was not intended as an excuse but rather an effort to be transparent, adding that she felt very embarrassed by the situation. When contacted by the Daily Mail via telephone on Wednesday just before 11am EST, the call reportedly woke Abughazaleh up. The Gen-Z internet star responded by questioning how the publication obtained her number and directed inquiries to her press team for further comment.
Pattern of Missed Engagements and Double-Booking Allegations
The Palestinian-American activist has developed a reputation for flakiness and unreliability in recent weeks, according to political observers. She previously missed a forum on Venezuela scheduled for Monday. However, reports indicate that Abughazaleh was wide-awake and livestreaming with controversial internet personality Hasan Piker in Los Angeles at precisely the same time she was supposed to be participating in the Venezuela discussion.
Evanston Now politics reporter Matthew Eadie revealed this double-booking incident, noting that similar scheduling conflicts have occurred on at least two other occasions. These repeated incidents have left some of Abughazaleh's supporters quite upset by her antics, raising concerns about her organisational capabilities as a prospective lawmaker.
Ongoing Legal Challenges and Activist Background
The aspiring lawmaker is no stranger to controversy beyond her campaign schedule management. Last October, she faced serious legal charges including two counts of conspiracy to impede or injure an ICE officer, along with assaulting or impeding that officer while he was on duty. The indictment, filed on October 23, accuses Abughazaleh and five others of attacking an ICE agent's vehicle by banging aggressively on the car's side, back windows, and hood.
Specifically, Abughazaleh is accused of hindering and impeding the vehicle's movement and etching the word 'PIG' on the ICE officer's car. If found guilty on these charges, she could potentially face prison sentences of up to six years for the conspiracy charge and eight years for assaulting the ICE agent.
Footage previously reported by the Daily Mail shows Abughazaleh gathering with protesters outside the Broadview ICE detention center in Chicago. The video captures an agent confronting Abughazaleh for blocking the facility's driveway, dragging her back, and tossing her to the pavement. Additional footage from September 26 features Abughazaleh bracing her body against an ICE vehicle alongside dozens of other protesters.
Political Response and Electoral Context
Following the indictment, Abughazaleh responded on social media by accusing the Trump administration of political persecution. She characterised the case as a political prosecution and a gross attempt to silence dissent, asserting that her right to protest is protected under the First Amendment. The candidate framed the legal action as a major push by the Trump administration to criminalise protest and punish anyone who speaks out against them.
Abughazaleh hopes to replace outgoing Democratic Representative Jan Schakowsky, with the Democratic primary election scheduled for March 17, 2026, followed by the general election on November 3, 2026. Her campaign now navigates the dual challenges of managing public perceptions about her reliability while addressing serious legal matters that could significantly impact her political future.
