Democratic Candidate Adam Hamawy Leads Polls Amid Controversy

Democratic candidate Adam Hamawy, a doctor and Army veteran, is topping recent internal polls and prediction markets in the New Jersey 12th Congressional District race. He faces scrutiny over past ties to a convicted terrorist and an organization later linked to Al-Qaeda. His campaign emphasizes his patriotism and service, calling recent attacks desperate as the election nears.

Poll Results in New Jersey’s 12th District

The race for retiring Representative Bonnie Watson Coleman’s seat in New Jersey’s 12th District is crowded. Though few polls exist, two commissioned by Hamawy’s campaign show him ahead. A Workbench Strategy poll conducted from May 5-7 puts him at 19% support, leading opponents Sue Altman at 12%, East Brunswick Mayor Brad Cohen at 11%, and State Assemblywoman Verlina Reynolds-Jackson at 10%. This poll surveyed 400 likely Democratic primary voters, with a margin of error of 4.89 percentage points.

An earlier poll, also by Workbench Strategy for Hamawy’s campaign from March 30 to April 1, showed him trailing with 5%, behind Reynolds-Jackson’s 16%, Altman’s 12%, and Cohen’s 11%. It had the same sample size and margin of error as the May poll.

Prediction markets like Kalshi and Polymarket show Hamawy likely to win, with Kalshi at 86% and Polymarket at 85%. Polymarket indicates his odds have more than doubled recently, ranking Altman second at 7%, Reynolds-Jackson at 3.3%, and Cohen at 3%. Kalshi gives Princeton professor Sam Wang a 9% chance.

Hamawy is supported by the Progressive Caucus, with co-chairs Rep. Pramila Jayapal, Rep. Greg Casar, and Rep. Maxwell Frost praising him as a hero and highlighting his extensive service, including 9/11 response and involvement in Iraq.

Controversial Associations

Opponents address Hamawy’s past connections. Brad Cohen questions Hamawy’s 1994 trip with a group linked to Al-Qaeda, while Shanel Robinson acknowledges his service but seeks clarification on his ties to Sheik Omar Abdel-Rahman, convicted in the 1993 World Trade Center bombing. Hamawy testified for the defense in Abdel-Rahman’s trial but was not implicated in wrongdoing.

Records reviewed show Hamawy accompanied Abdel-Rahman in 1991, overhearing troubling comments. A Hamawy spokesperson emphasized his military service at the time and denounced violence and terrorism.

Hamawy treated victims of the 9/11 attacks and had significant military roles, including saving Sen. Tammy Duckworth’s life in Iraq. Abdel-Rahman died in 2017 while serving his sentence.

Benevolence International Foundation Connection

Hamawy’s 1994 humanitarian work in Bosnia, through the later-discredited Benevolence International Foundation (BIF), draws criticism. The U.N. linked BIF to Al-Qaeda in 2002. Founded in Illinois in 1992, BIF was meant for global humanitarian aid but was soon accused of supporting terrorism.

A Hamawy campaign spokesperson defended his actions in Bosnia, framing them as part of a military and humanitarian mission agreed to by the U.N. His 20 years of service and accolades like the Global War on Terrorism medal underscore his commitment, they argue.

Opponent Wang supports Hamawy’s account, citing the humanitarian needs of Muslims in Bosnia during the war. The Bosnian conflict involved ethnic and territorial strife, leading to significant atrocities like the Srebrenica massacre, deemed a genocide by international courts.