A new poll released Thursday by Data for Progress, a progressive policy think tank and pollster, shows Evanston Mayor Daniel Biss and Kat Abughazaleh tied atop the crowded field in the Illinois 9th Congressional District Democratic primary.

The poll is the first publicly released poll not sponsored by either campaign and shows the race at its closest point thus far, with the previous three polls showing Biss leading the field on his own.

The poll was conducted in partnership with The Justice Coalition Action, a Palestinian-rights advocacy group, and circulated in the field between Oct. 29 and Nov. 3, according to a polling memo released Thursday afternoon.

In a statement, Sam Weinberg, Abughazaleh’s campaign manager, wrote that her campaign believes the “poll reflects what we’re already seeing on the ground: Voters like Kat, support her vision for this district and for the country, and know that she has the character and experience to serve in Congress.”

Weinberg called the race a clear three-way race between Abughazaleh, Biss and State Sen. Laura Fine, who trails in third in every poll this far.

He called Abughazaleh “the most progressive candidate in the Ninth District.”

The poll also surveyed what’s on voters’ minds, with “threats to democracy” as the top issue for voters heading into 2026.

The economy, jobs and inflation and healthcare also topped the list, according to the poll.

“ICE raids in major cities,” polled quite low as a top issue, despite immigration enforcement ramping up in the district throughout October, including Evanston and Skokie late in the month.

The poll was conducted in the days around Halloween, the same time border patrol agents descended on the northern suburbs, including Evanston, which gained national media attention for its response.

The poll also surveyed candidates’ favorability among voters, with Biss leading the field in net favorability at 40%.

Abughazaleh trails in second at 35%, but leads the field in unfavorable rating at 19%.

The 26-year-old content creator and former progressive journalist was indicted on federal charges on the same morning the poll began circulating.

Other candidates, including State Rep. Hoan Huynh, State Sens. Laura Fine and Mike Simmons and Skokie School Board member Bushra Amiwala, all trail in name recognition, according to the poll.