It was an us versus them debate Wednesday night on FOX 32, with the three leading candidates in the race for the 9th District Congressional Democratic primary taking fire from three other candidates in the crowded race of 15.The group was split between candidates FOX 32 identified as leading the pol ls — Evanston Mayor Daniel Biss, former journalist Kat Abughazaleh and state Sen. Laura Fine — and state Sen. Mike Simmons, Skokie School District 73.5 board member Bushra Amiwala and former FBI agent Phil Andrew.But no one took more shots than current Congressional Democrats. All six found common ground in denouncing inaction from sitting officials in the House. Biss said the status quo structure that put America into the place it is must be “fully analyzed."Abughazaleh called on Democrats to start using their resources for constituents, pointing to her office’s doubling up as an aid distribution center that has been offering donated toiletries and clothes, among other items, for free.“The Democratic party could be doing this at large,” Abughazaleh said. Illinois Congressional District 9 candidates: Bushra Amiwala (from left), state Sen. Mike Simmons, state Rep. Hoan Huynh and Phil Andrew.Sun-Times file and provided photos Simmons pointed to successes in Illinois, such as the state’s bid to eliminate hundreds of millions of dollars of residents’ medical debt, and said he wants to bring them to the national level.“I’m sick of watching mainstream Democrats,” Simmons said. “A lot of them fold before the fight is started.”But the three candidates relegated largely to the exclusively digital portion of the debate turned their sights on Biss, Fine and Abughazaleh, comparing them to politicians in Washington.“Are you going to hold yourself to a high ethical standard?” Andrew asked of Biss and Fine. “These are going to be career politicians who want to be part of what got us into this problem.”“I unfortunately feel like some of the people on the panel before us are part of that school of thought,” Simmons added.The candidates did, however, split on their responses concerning federal immigration agents.Amiwala touted her protest history at Broadview dating back to 2019. Simmons detailed the process of returning cars to constituents after their loved ones were taken by federal agents. Andrew, a former federal agent, was softer than other candidates.“We have politicized this system,” Andrew said, noting he previously worked with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement in the FBI. “ICE, as it exists right now, is dangerous. Our court system is the right place for this accountability. … I don't encourage people to engage on the street.”Amiwala and Simmons both called for the agency to be abolished. Simmons said private prisons should be outlawed as well.“ICE as an institution cannot be trusted,” Amiwala said.Fine took similar hits from Biss and Abughazaleh over her lack of action on the streets after she said her legislative work was “more important” than protesting at Broadview or being out with rapid response groups.It was one of many points in which the temperature rose at the table, including after Biss pressed when moderator Paris Schutz questioned Fine about an AIPAC-affiliated super PAC running ads to support her bid.“I don't know if you believe the words coming out of your own mouth,” Fine fired at Biss.“Who will you be representing if you get elected?” Biss shot back later.“This is the exact hypocrisy people are sick of in politics," Abughazaleh said. ...read more read less