Adam Hamawy, a Progressive Democrat, Wins House Primary in New Jersey
The New York Times • • nation
Key Points:
- Adam Hamawy, a U.S. Army veteran and critic of Israel’s war in Gaza, won the Democratic primary in New Jersey’s 12th Congressional District, positioning him as the favorite to replace retiring Representative Bonnie Watson Coleman.
- Hamawy, a plastic surgeon and former Army combat doctor, led his closest competitor by about 12 percentage points with 85% of ballots counted, and will face Republican Gregg Mele in the November general election.
- His campaign focused on progressive issues such as healthcare reform, abolishing ICE, and addressing economic inequality, criticizing government spending on foreign conflicts over domestic needs.
- Hamawy cited frustration with Washington lawmakers' indifference to the humanitarian crisis he witnessed during a 2024 mission to Gaza as a motivation for running.
- The district leans heavily Democratic, with registered Democrats outnumbering Republicans more than two to one, giving Hamawy a strong advantage in the upcoming election.