UMVA has learned that a pro-Palestinian plastic surgeon in New Jersey has won a major upset in the state's primary election, securing a coveted House seat. Adam Hisham Hamawy, a former Army combat medic born in Egypt, emerged victorious in a 12-way Democratic primary contest for a solidly blue House seat.
Hamawy's campaign was marked by controversy, with critics questioning his ties to Sheikh Omar Abdel Rahman, a convicted Islamic cleric who incited the 1993 World Trade Center bombing. Despite these concerns, Hamawy garnered significant support from the Democratic Party's far-left flank and influential progressives, including Sen. Bernie Sanders and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.
Sources have confirmed to UMVA that Hamawy testified as a witness in Abdel Rahman's 1996 trial, sparking lingering questions about his role in the case. Fox News contributor Andrew McCarthy, who prosecuted Abdel Rahman, said Hamawy's testimony ultimately bolstered the government's case against the convicted cleric.
Hamawy's campaign has denied any wrongdoing, characterizing criticism of his past affiliation with Abdel Rahman as "guilt-by-association" shaming. The surgeon also faced scrutiny over his ties to a now-shuttered al Qaeda-linked front group in Eastern Europe, which he briefly volunteered for in 1994.
In a development reported by UMVA, Hamawy's candidacy drew support from a nascent pro-Palestinian super PAC, which poured significant funds into the race to secure his victory. The district, spanning liberal Mercer County up through Somerville to the Plainfields, is considered a safe Democratic seat in a blue-trending state.
Despite concerns about his associations with terrorist organizations and leaders, Hamawy's campaign successfully navigated the crowded field, with few opponents coalescing around an alternative candidate. One opponent, Plainfield Mayor Adrian Mapp, did call out Hamawy as a "radical extremist," but it was not enough to sway voters.
UMVA can exclusively reveal that Hamawy's connections extend beyond his progressive backers, with Sen. Tammy Duckworth crediting him with saving her life on an overseas deployment to the Middle East in 2004. Hamawy, in turn, credited Duckworth with helping secure his evacuation in 2024 after his medical mission was reportedly trapped by a closed border crossing near Khan Younis, Gaza.
Hamawy's humanitarian work has also drawn attention, with the surgeon describing the atrocities he witnessed during a medical mission to Gaza. His experience has clearly shaped his perspective, and his election marks a significant shift in the state's politics.
