Adam Hisham Hamawy, a plastic surgeon and former Army combat medic, won the Democratic primary for a House seat in New Jersey. The primary, held on June 3, 2026, featured 12 candidates, and Hamawy was seen as the frontrunner to succeed retiring Rep. Bonnie Watson-Coleman. His campaign received support from prominent progressive figures, including Sen. Bernie Sanders and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.
Hamawy has faced scrutiny for his past ties to Sheikh Omar Abdel Rahman, who was convicted for inciting the 1993 World Trade Center bombing. He testified in Rahman's trial, and while his campaign claims this is a case of guilt-by-association, critics have raised concerns about his associations with terrorist organizations. Additionally, he briefly volunteered for a now-defunct al Qaeda-linked group in Eastern Europe in 1994.
Despite the controversies, Hamawy's campaign was bolstered by financial support from the pro-Palestinian super PAC American Priorities. The district is considered a safe Democratic seat, and while some opponents have labeled him a 'radical extremist,' there has been limited consolidation around alternative candidates. Hamawy has also received recognition from Sen. Tammy Duckworth for his actions during a humanitarian mission in the Middle East in 2004.
