Adam Hamawy, a retired US Army combat surgeon, vocal critic of Israel and supporter of Palestinians, is projected to win the Democratic primary for New Jersey’s 12th Congressional District, according to CNN’s Decision Desk.
Born in Egypt and raised in the United States, the Muslim veteran emerged ahead of a crowded field of roughly a dozen candidates in the safely Democratic seat previously held by retiring Representative Bonnie Watson Coleman.
Hamawy built a broad progressive coalition during the campaign and secured significant backing from the American Priorities, a political lobby group, which supports pro-Palestinian causes and spent more than $1.5 million in his favour.
“We were told that an outsider couldn’t win. That we couldn’t compete. Well, I think we competed,” Hamawy told supporters on Tuesday night.
“Together, we made it clear you never need to ask for permission to fight for justice. In every corner of this district, we built a movement of people who were fed up,” he added.
He also received endorsements from independent Senator Bernie Sanders and several members of the US House progressive “Squad,” including Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Ilhan Omar, Rashida Tlaib and others.
Addressing supporters, Hamawy framed his campaign as part of a wider push for justice and change.
His campaign drew scrutiny over past allegations related to his association with Omar Abdel-Rahman, a convicted cleric linked to the 1993 World Trade Center bombing.
Opponents raised questions about that connection, while a campaign spokesperson said Hamawy “condemns that man’s violent rhetoric and actions, and all violence, hatred, and terrorism — and he will always,” adding that “these bad-faith, guilt-by-association attacks on Muslim and Arab candidates are nothing new in our politics.”
Hamawy’s platform focused on progressive policies, including Medicare for All and cancelling medical and student loan debt, positioning him on the party’s left wing.
