Democrat · New Jersey's 12th District · 2026
Adam Hamawy
Hamawy grew up in Middlesex County and is now a father of four.
Biography
Adam Hamawy lives in South Brunswick with his wife and has four children.1 He grew up in Old Bridge, used an ROTC scholarship to attend Rutgers, joined the New Jersey Army National Guard and worked his way through New Jersey Medical School.2
As an Army combat surgeon in Iraq, Hamawy helped care for future Senator Tammy Duckworth after her helicopter was shot down in 2004.3 He later trained in plastic and reconstructive surgery at the University of Texas Southwestern and built his own Princeton practice.2 His civilian work has included attending surgeon positions at Penn Medicine Princeton Medical Center and Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in New Brunswick.2
His humanitarian work began during medical school, including delivering medical supplies in Bosnia, and has extended to Haiti and Gaza.2 After returning from Gaza in 2024, he met Duckworth in Washington and briefed senators about conditions facing patients and medical workers.4 He returned to Gaza on another medical mission in 2025.2
Hamawy proposes Medicare for All, canceling medical debt, protecting veterans' healthcare, expanding mental health care and banning congressional stock trading.2 He also calls for abolishing ICE and opposes the Iran war.1 Republican Gregg Mele is his major party opponent in the four candidate race for the seat retiring Representative Bonnie Watson Coleman is leaving.15
Record and controversies
Campaign rent paid to his medical practice
Hamawy's campaign reported a $7,900 rent payment to Princeton Plastic Surgeons on March 9, 2026.6 His personal financial disclosure lists the practice among his assets.7 Jewish Insider reported on May 6 that this was a monthly arrangement for campaign headquarters space, and the campaign said a compliance firm helped establish the rent and that volunteer organizing required office space.8
Verification limit: This review verified the disclosed payment and the campaign's response, but did not establish a market valuation or verify an FEC finding of unlawful spending.
1995 defense testimony and renewed scrutiny
Hamawy testified for the defense at Omar Abdel Rahman's 1995 trial, in which the cleric was convicted of planning bombings against New York landmarks.9 Hamawy was not a defendant in that trial.10 JTA reporting based on trial transcripts described earlier contacts, including a 1991 drive together to a Detroit conference.11 Hamawy described one carpool occasion and his testimony as a civic duty, pointed to his military service and rejected the attacks as Islamophobic.9 His campaign condemned the cleric's violent rhetoric and actions and said personal contact ended after the arrest.11 After Hamawy's primary victory, Representative Mike Lawler called for a congressional inquiry if he is elected.10
Verification limit: A demand for an inquiry is not a finding of criminal participation. A current criminal prosecution of Hamawy was not verified in this review.