The Egyptian-born surgeon, U.S. Army veteran, and humanitarian doctor who treated war victims in Gaza wins New Jersey’s 12th Congressional District.
NEW JERSEY — November 3, 2026 — Democrat Adam Hamawy has made history by becoming the first Muslim elected to the United States Congress from New Jersey, winning the state’s 12th Congressional District and marking a significant milestone in American political representation.
The Associated Press called the race at approximately 8:26 p.m. Tuesday, declaring Hamawy the winner over Republican Gregg Mele.
With approximately 27% of ballots counted at the time of the call, Hamawy had secured about 74.8% of the vote, according to preliminary figures reported by Al-Monitor.
The victory brings a surgeon, military veteran, and humanitarian physician with extensive experience in conflict zones to the U.S. House of Representatives.
Once sworn in in January 2027, Hamawy will become New Jersey’s first Muslim member of Congress.
A Historic First for New Jersey
Hamawy’s election represents a milestone for New Jersey’s Muslim community and adds to the diversity of the state’s congressional delegation.
Although Muslim Americans have previously served in Congress, New Jersey had never elected a Muslim representative to the U.S. House or Senate.
Hamawy joins a growing group of Muslim Americans who have achieved national political office, reflecting the increasingly diverse backgrounds of elected representatives across the United States.
His victory also demonstrates the transition of a physician with decades of experience in medicine, military service, and international humanitarian missions into national politics.
The 12th Congressional District includes communities in Mercer, Middlesex, Somerset, and Union counties.
From Egypt to New Jersey
Born in Egypt, Hamawy came to the United States with his family when he was just seven months old.
He grew up in Plainfield and Old Bridge, New Jersey, and attended public schools before earning an ROTC scholarship to Rutgers University.
Hamawy later completed his medical education and served in the U.S. military, eventually becoming a lieutenant colonel.
His professional career has combined military medicine, emergency trauma care, plastic and reconstructive surgery, and humanitarian work.
For approximately a decade, he has operated a medical practice in Princeton.
Unlike many congressional candidates, Hamawy entered politics without previously holding elected public office.
The Army Surgeon Who Helped Save a Future U.S. Senator
One of the most remarkable chapters of Hamawy’s career occurred during the Iraq War.
In 2004, he served as a combat trauma surgeon with the U.S. Army when a military helicopter carrying American personnel was shot down.
Among the seriously injured service members was Tammy Duckworth, who later became a U.S. senator representing Illinois.
Hamawy was part of the medical team that treated Duckworth following the attack.
Duckworth lost both legs in the incident but survived and went on to serve in Congress.
Their connection became an important part of Hamawy’s public biography, demonstrating his direct experience providing life-saving treatment under wartime conditions.
His military service also included treating wounded American troops during some of the most intense periods of the Iraq conflict.
Humanitarian Work From Bosnia to Gaza
Beyond his military service, Hamawy has spent decades providing medical assistance to people affected by wars and humanitarian disasters.
According to his official biography, he participated in medical missions in Bosnia, Haiti, Sudan, Syria, Lebanon, Turkey, Jordan, Colombia, Belize, and the Palestinian territories.
In 1994, he traveled to Bosnia as part of a humanitarian medical mission, delivering supplies to hospitals during the war.
More recently, his medical work in Gaza attracted international attention.
Hamawy traveled to Gaza in 2024 and 2025 to provide medical treatment to wounded civilians during the Israel-Hamas war.
During a mission in May 2024, he became stranded with other international medical workers after Israeli military operations affected access through the Rafah border crossing.
He subsequently traveled to Washington to describe the humanitarian conditions he had witnessed.
Hamawy’s experiences in Gaza became a defining factor in his decision to enter politics.
He has repeatedly argued that elected officials should listen to medical professionals and humanitarian workers who have firsthand experience of armed conflicts.
His positions on Gaza and American foreign policy also drew national attention and debate during the campaign.
A Congressional Campaign Built Around Healthcare and Accountability
Hamawy entered the race to succeed Democratic Representative Bonnie Watson Coleman, who decided not to seek another term after more than a decade representing the district.
He won a competitive Democratic primary in June 2026 before advancing to the November general election.
His campaign focused on healthcare affordability, education, economic opportunity, civil rights, and government accountability.
As a physician, Hamawy emphasized improving access to medical services and reducing costs for families.
He also called for greater attention to the humanitarian consequences of American foreign policy decisions.
His campaign attracted support from prominent progressive figures, including Senator Bernie Sanders and Representatives Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Ilhan Omar.
Hamawy also received the endorsement of Watson Coleman, whose retirement created the open congressional seat.
Hamawy Defeats Republican Gregg Mele
In the November 3 general election, Hamawy faced Republican attorney Gregg Mele.
The ballot also included Green Party candidate Andres Jinete and independent candidate Winston Jordan.
New Jersey’s 12th Congressional District has been a Democratic stronghold, making the party’s nominee the leading contender throughout the general election campaign.
Hamawy’s victory means the district will remain under Democratic representation when the next Congress convenes.
However, the election also marks a generational and professional transition from Watson Coleman, a longtime public official and civil rights advocate, to a physician and military veteran entering elected office for the first time.
The final certified vote totals will be determined after the completion of the official election process.
What His Election Means for Muslim Americans
Hamawy’s victory carries significance beyond the boundaries of the 12th District.
Muslim Americans have increasingly participated in local, state, and federal politics, but representation in Congress remains relatively limited.
Keith Ellison of Minnesota became the first Muslim elected to Congress in 2006.
Since then, other Muslim Americans, including André Carson, Ilhan Omar, and Rashida Tlaib, have served in the U.S. House of Representatives.
Hamawy’s election adds New Jersey to the states that have elected a Muslim member of Congress.
His arrival will also bring a distinctive professional perspective shaped by military medicine, humanitarian emergencies, and direct experience treating civilians and soldiers in war zones.
New Jersey Sends a Surgeon and Humanitarian to Washington
Hamawy’s victory comes during an election in which healthcare costs, affordability, foreign policy, and the role of the United States in international conflicts have been prominent political issues.
His background differs from the more traditional political careers of many members of Congress.
Before becoming a candidate, Hamawy spent years working in operating rooms, emergency departments, military hospitals, and humanitarian medical missions.
His election will give New Jersey’s 12th District a representative who has experienced some of the consequences of war firsthand.
It remains to be seen how that experience will shape his legislative priorities and approach to national security, healthcare, and international humanitarian policy.
A New Chapter in New Jersey Political History
The election of Adam Hamawy represents both a change in congressional leadership and a historic first for the state.
A child who arrived in New Jersey from Egypt, grew up in its public schools, served in the American military, and spent decades treating wounded patients across the world has now been elected to represent New Jersey in Washington.
His victory also marks an important moment for Muslim American political representation.
On November 3, 2026, New Jersey elected its first Muslim member of Congress — a surgeon whose journey from military battlefields and humanitarian hospitals will now take him to the halls of the U.S. Capitol.
Sources: New Jersey Monitor, November 3, 2026; Al-Monitor, November 3, 2026; WHYY, June 2026; Adam Hamawy – Official Biography; New Jersey Division of Elections – Official Candidate List.
By NJ RADAR Team