“Social media virality doesn’t always translate to real-life voters” – Bushra Amiwala
I’m proud to count myself among the four million Muslim Americans who are observing Ramadan this month
Bushra Amiwala has built a political career defined by firsts. At just 19, the Chicago-area native became the Democratic candidate for the Cook County Board of Commissioners, launching a campaign that made her one of the youngest Muslim women in the country to run for countywide office.
A year later, she made history again when she was elected to the Skokie School District 73.5 Board of Education, becoming one of the youngest Muslim elected officials in the United States. The daughter of Pakistani immigrants—her father arrived in America from Karachi with just $20 in his pocket—Amiwala has emerged as a prominent South Asian voice in local politics. During her tenure on the school board she pushed for inclusive policies such as halal, kosher and vegetarian meal options and free after-school programming for students.
Re-elected unopposed in 2023, Amiwala is now taking her ambitions to the national stage as she runs for Congress from Illinois’ 9th district, campaigning on issues such as immigration reform, universal healthcare and community-driven activism. In this conversation, she reflects on her immigrant roots, early political awakening and her vision for the future.
American Bazaar: You first ran for office at just 19 while still a student at DePaul University in Chicago. While running for an important post like Cook County commissioner and attempting to unseat a 16-year incumbent Larry Suffredin. How did that experience shape the political leader you are today?
Bushra Amiwala: I saw the difference between what my community was getting and what we deserved. That was my first experience running for office, and I realized that I had challenged an incumbent only after launching my campaign. However, I earned 14,988 votes, or 35% of a three-way race, thousands of whom registered and voted for the first time because of my candidacy.
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My campaign garnered national attention. The incumbent called me afterwards and encouraged me to run for office again, just as long as I didn’t run against him. Shortly afterwards, I ran for the Skokie District 73.5 School Board and won, becoming the first member of my generation to serve in public office. That year, I learned to build bridges across communities and unite people across backgrounds, and that social media virality doesn’t always translate to real-life voters. I am always present for my constituents in real life, and always receptive to their concerns. That’s what it means to be a public servant, and it’s the same approach I will take as a member of Congress.
You are contesting from the 9th Congressional District in Illinois, which is incredibly diverse, with dozens of languages spoken. What does meaningful representation look like in such a multicultural district, and how would your office ensure accessibility for all communities?
Over a third of constituents in IL-09 speak a language other than English at home. The three most common languages besides English are Spanish, Polish and Urdu.
My job as a representative in Congress will be, at the very least, to provide resources and information to them in whatever language they speak. If they can’t find government information in their language, then I’m not doing my job. Unfortunately, in 2026 it has become more necessary than ever to educate people on their rights when it comes to immigration enforcement. I have already been doing that as the leader of the first ICE resistance group in my county. I continue to translate and distribute legal information to my neighbors and impacted families. There’s a reason ICE is focusing on IL-09; we are one of the most diverse districts in the state.
Our district is a microcosm of the world. That’s what makes living here so wonderful. Residents of IL-09 can hear music, see art and try cuisine from every language, culture and tradition around the globe. Our lives are happier, more vibrant and more prosperous because of our district’s diversity. But no amount of fearmongering and intimidation will stop me from defending the residents of my district. They deserve leadership that is unafraid to fight back.
You’ve been vocal about protecting programs like SNAP because of your own family’s experience with food assistance. How has that personal history shaped your broader approach to economic policy?
Government should be the hand up, not the handout, that gives everyone a fair shot. The Trump administration’s willingness to use SNAP benefits as a political bargaining chip is inhumane. He has shown remarkable cruelty to American families like mine who are working as hard as they can to make ends meet.
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Meanwhile, the federal government is slashing student loan programs on which millions of younger Americans depend. This administration is all but ignoring a Supreme Court ruling to impose tariffs that steal money from the wallets of us all. Private equity firms and hedge fund managers are given free rein to snatch up our housing stock and jack up rent. Transportation costs keep rising because of the reckless and unconstitutional war our nation just started with Iran. It couldn’t be clearer that our economic policy is moving rapidly in the wrong direction. Congress is not absolved from this mess. At every step of the way, our representatives chose to step aside, cede their power and let Trump abuse his power. That ends on my watch. Congress is the last line of defense for American consumers who are beset by rising costs and a stalling job market. It’s time for the legislature to take an active role in healing our economy. We continue on this course of inaction at our own peril.
You’re campaigning during Ramadan and will still be fasting on election day. How has observing Ramadan while campaigning shaped your experience on the trail, and what message do you hope it sends about faith and public life in America?
I’m proud to count myself among the four million Muslim Americans who will be observing Ramadan this month. Our communities deserve representation at the highest levels of government, and the challenges families here are facing, from the affordability crisis to health and education debt burdens, can’t wait. This month of reflection only strengthens my resolve to keep showing up and doing the work. Campaigns are exhausting, and they should be. It takes time and energy to connect with the 740,000 people in this district. But I will not change my values to win, nor will I set aside my faith. My commitment to this community and my commitment to my faith go hand in hand, and I am positive my observance in this month has grounded me, to be a better candidate.