Adam Hamawy Wins New Jersey 12th District Democratic Primary, Faces Gregg Mele in November

Adam Hamawy, a retired US Army combat surgeon and sharp Israel critic, won the Democratic primary for New Jersey’s 12th Congressional District, a seat held by retiring Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman, and he is projected to face Republican Gregg Mele in the general election in November.

“ABC News has projected Adam Hamawy, a plastic surgeon and former combat surgeon, will win the Democratic primary in New Jersey's 12th congressional district, likely putting him on a glide path to succeed retiring incumbent U”

6abc Philadelphia

CNN reported that Hamawy led a field of roughly a dozen Democrats and consolidated support from progressives, boosted by American Priorities, a pro-Palestinian super PAC that spent more than $1.5 million supporting his campaign.

6abc Philadelphia

Hamawy told supporters Tuesday night, “We were told that an outsider couldn’t win. That we couldn’t compete. Well, I think we competed,” according to a transcript shared by his campaign.

Middle East Eye said that with more than 93 percent of the vote counted at nearly 10am local time on Wednesday, Hamawy secured more than 28 percent of ballots, far ahead of his nearest opponent.

New Jersey Monitor said the Associated Press projected Hamawy’s win in a crowded primary with 12 Democrats running to replace Watson Coleman, and it described Hamawy as a Princeton plastic and reconstructive surgeon making his first run for elected office.

The primary campaign included renewed scrutiny of Hamawy’s past association with Omar Abdel-Rahman, a blind, Egyptian-born cleric convicted of seditious conspiracy in a case related to the 1993 World Trade Center bombing, and CNN said Hamawy was called as a defense witness in the trial.

CNN quoted a campaign spokesperson saying Hamawy “condemns that man’s violent rhetoric and actions, and all violence, hatred, and terrorism — and he will always,” while it also reported that Rep. Mike Lawler questioned why Democrats nominated “a defense witness in the 1993 WTC bombing.”

Al Jazeera

Middle East Eye framed the victory as a Democratic National Committee chair Ken Martin statement that said, “As a veteran, combat surgeon, and small business owner, Adam Hamawy has continually served his community and our country.”

The Times of Israel reported that Hamawy’s camp called the questions “gross and bigoted” and said the attacks were “getting more desperate than ever,” even as it described his win as coming with a 12-point margin ahead of second-place candidate Brad Cohen with 86 percent of the vote in.

In a statement to the Jewish Telegraphic Agency, the Times of Israel reported Hamawy said, “As a Muslim, I understand what it feels like to face bigotry, to feel unsafe in your community and to have your loyalty to this country questioned,” and it said he linked his safety to the rise of attacks at synagogues and mosques.

With Hamawy projected to win the general election in November, CNN said he will face Republican Gregg Mele, and it described his win as coming after critics resurfaced his past association with Omar Abdel-Rahman.

“Adam Hamawy, a plastic surgeon, army veteran and conflict-zone medical worker, has won a crowded Democratic primary for an open seat in the United States House of Representatives”

Al Jazeera

Time Magazine said Hamawy won with 28% of the vote and described his platform as including Medicare for all, abolishing ICE, and imposing a weapons sale ban on Israel, while it also said he would become the fifth Muslim congressional lawmaker in the House.

WHYY reported that Hamawy’s primary win came in the 12th district, which it said is overwhelmingly Democratic and not competitive, and it quoted Micah Rasmussen saying, “He was able to present himself in the way that he wanted, and he was able to succeed by finding progressive voters across the district rather than relying on any one regional strength,”

The Intercept said Hamawy’s victory was expected to coast to victory over Gregg Mele in the November general election, and it described his campaign as supported by Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and an anti-AIPAC super PAC.

Gothamist said the focus now shifts to November and the race between Bennett and Kean, but it also described the 12th District as an easy one for Democrats to hold onto, noting that retiring Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman has held the seat for the past 11 years and won with over 63% of the vote in her most recent elections.