Adam Hamawy, a former U.S. Army combat surgeon, won the Democratic primary in New Jersey's 12th Congressional District on June 2, 2026. His campaign received support from Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and the super PAC American Priorities, which aims to counter AIPAC's influence in Democratic politics. Despite facing negative media coverage regarding his past testimony in a 1995 trial, Hamawy's victory positions him favorably against Republican candidate Gregg Mele in the upcoming general election.
Hamawy's campaign emphasized his medical background and progressive policy positions, including support for Medicare for All and opposing military aid to Israel. He received endorsements from notable figures such as Sen. Bernie Sanders and the Congressional Progressive Caucus PAC. In the primary, he outperformed other candidates, including East Brunswick Mayor Brad Cohen and activist Sue Altman.
American Priorities, which launched in February 2026, invested significantly in Hamawy's campaign, contributing to his rise in the polls from 5% to 19% support in a matter of weeks. Hamawy condemned the negative press he received, stating that outdated stereotypes about Muslims in politics continue to persist.
