Adam Hamawy, a progressive Democrat and former U.S. Army combat trauma surgeon, won the Democratic primary for New Jersey’s 12th Congressional District, effectively guaranteeing him a seat in Congress. The Associated Press called the race for Hamawy after he secured 27.4% of the vote with 69% of ballots counted. His victory marks a significant win for the progressive wing of the Democratic Party, as he earned endorsements from prominent figures like Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) and members of the so-called Squad, including Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY), Ilhan Omar (D-MN), and Rashida Tlaib (D-MI).
Hamawy’s campaign gained national attention due to his past associations, including his 1994 internship with the Benevolence International Foundation (BIF) in Bosnia. The 9/11 Commission Report described BIF as part of a network that covertly supported terrorist activities linked to Osama bin Laden in the 1990s. A 2003 court filing alleged that al-Qaeda used BIF as a front for operations against the United States. Hamawy has never been charged with or accused of working on behalf of Islamic terrorism, and his campaign dismissed inquiries into his time with the group as "absurd" and "bigoted."
Hamawy also testified as a witness for the defense in the 1996 trial of Omar Abdel-Rahman, the "Blind Sheikh," who was convicted of seditious conspiracy and terrorism over his involvement in the 1993 World Trade Center bombing. Fox News contributor Andrew McCarthy, the chief prosecutor in Abdel Rahman’s trial, stated that Hamawy’s testimony ultimately bolstered the prosecution’s case despite being offered to undermine it. Hamawy’s campaign has maintained that his past affiliation with Abdel Rahman does not amount to guilt.
Hamawy’s progressive credentials, national attention for providing medical care in Gaza, and military service as a combat medic contributed to his victory. He raised over $1 million for his campaign, with much of the funding coming from small donations from Muslim and Arab Americans. American Priorities, a pro-Palestinian super PAC, pledged $2 million in TV advertising, though this total likely won’t be needed given the deep-blue nature of the district.