Egyptian-American Gaza surgeon Adam Hamawy becomes New Jersey's first Muslim elected to U.S. Congress
Adam Hamawy, an Egyptian-American surgeon and former U.S. Army combat doctor who volunteered in Gaza during Israel's war, won New Jersey's 12th Congressional District on Tuesday, becoming the state's first Muslim and Arab American elected to the U.S. House of Representatives.
The 56-year-old Democrat defeated Republican Gregg Mele in the November 3 midterm elections, securing a seat long held by Democrats. His victory was projected by the Associated Press.
Hamawy will succeed Representative Bonnie Watson Coleman, who is retiring after more than a decade in Congress.
Born in Egypt and raised in New Jersey, Hamawy served as a U.S. Army combat surgeon during the Iraq War before pursuing a career in plastic and reconstructive surgery.
He gained national recognition for helping save the life of Tammy Duckworth, now a Democratic senator from Illinois, after her military helicopter was shot down in Iraq in 2004.
Duckworth lost both legs in the attack and later became one of Hamawy's prominent political supporters.
More recently, Hamawy participated in humanitarian medical missions in Gaza in 2024 and 2025, treating Palestinian civilians injured during Israel's military operations.
His experience in Gaza became a central part of his political identity and campaign, strengthening his opposition to U.S. military assistance to Israel.
Hamawy has publicly criticized Israel's conduct in Gaza and called for an end to American military aid and weapons transfers to the country.
His campaign also emphasized expanding access to affordable healthcare, reducing medical and student debt, strengthening public services and addressing the financial pressures facing working families.
A first-time political candidate, Hamawy won a crowded Democratic primary in June with support from prominent progressive figures, including Senator Bernie Sanders and Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.
His campaign connected domestic economic concerns with foreign policy, arguing that American resources should prioritize healthcare and public needs rather than military assistance abroad.
Following his primary victory, Hamawy told supporters: “We made it clear you never need to ask for permission to fight for justice.”
His election marks a milestone for Muslim and Arab American political representation in New Jersey, where communities of Middle Eastern and North African origin have become an increasingly visible part of the state's population.
The victory also brings a physician with direct experience treating casualties in Gaza into Congress at a time when U.S. military assistance to Israel remains a major subject of political debate.