A crowded Democratic primary in New Jersey has delivered a victory for Adam Hisham Hamawy, a plastic surgeon, Army veteran, and outspoken supporter of pro-Palestinian causes whose campaign faced intense scrutiny over decades-old associations that became a major issue in the race.
Hamawy emerged from a 12-candidate field to win the Democratic nomination for a congressional seat being vacated by longtime Rep. Bonnie Watson-Coleman. In a district widely viewed as safely Democratic, the primary victory positions him as the overwhelming favorite to head to Washington next year.
The win comes after months of attacks from opponents and critics who focused on Hamawy’s role as a defense witness during the 1996 terrorism trial of Sheikh Omar Abdel Rahman, the radical cleric known as the “Blind Sheikh.” Abdel Rahman was convicted of seditious conspiracy and other terrorism-related charges and was widely regarded as a key ideological figure within the global jihadist movement.
Hamawy, who was a young man at the time, testified on behalf of the defense and has faced recurring questions about that involvement throughout his political campaign.
One of the more notable voices weighing in on the controversy was Andrew McCarthy, the former federal prosecutor who led the government’s case against Abdel Rahman. While critics cited Hamawy’s testimony as evidence of poor judgment, McCarthy argued that the testimony ultimately strengthened the prosecution rather than undermining it.
“As was uniformly the case with witnesses presented in the extensive defense case, his testimony, once cross-examination was over, did more to bolster the prosecution’s proof of a jihadist terrorism conspiracy against the United States than to help the accused,” McCarthy said.
Hamawy has consistently denied any wrongdoing and has never been accused of criminal conduct. His campaign dismissed criticism over his past interactions with Abdel Rahman as little more than guilt-by-association attacks designed to distract from his record as a physician and veteran.
The candidate also faced questions about a brief volunteer role in the 1990s with an organization that was later identified as having links to al Qaeda. Reports about that connection generated additional scrutiny during the campaign, though no evidence has emerged suggesting Hamawy engaged in illegal activity.
Despite those controversies, Hamawy assembled a coalition of progressive supporters that proved strong enough to carry him through the crowded primary field. He received endorsements from Sen. Bernie Sanders, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, and several prominent progressive activists. A pro-Palestinian political action committee also invested heavily in the race.
The campaign highlighted an emerging divide within Democratic politics. While progressives rallied behind Hamawy, several more establishment-oriented figures expressed concern about his candidacy. Rep. Josh Gottheimer publicly stated that he had “deep concerns” regarding Hamawy’s past associations, while one opponent, Plainfield Mayor Adrian Mapp, described him as a “radical extremist.”
Yet none of those criticisms appeared sufficient to derail his campaign.
Hamawy’s personal story also resonated with many voters. Born in Egypt and later serving as an Army combat medic, he earned national recognition for his military service. Sen. Tammy Duckworth has publicly credited Hamawy with helping save her life after she was wounded during military operations in Iraq, a fact that became a central part of his biography on the campaign trail.
More recently, Hamawy gained attention for humanitarian work in Gaza. Following a medical mission there in 2024, he spoke publicly about the conditions he witnessed and criticized what he described as attacks affecting healthcare workers and medical facilities.
