Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Minnesota), one of Congress’s most visible progressive legislators – and a frequent target of criticism over the years from both Republicans and moderate Democrats – has endorsed Adam Hamawy in New Jersey’s 12th congressional district.
“Adam Hamawy is the kind of leader this moment calls for. He has treated victims of war and genocide, and he’s ready to fight alongside me in Congress for an America where everyone can thrive,” Omar said in a statement. “I am proud to endorse Dr. Hamawy and his vision to expand healthcare, end forever wars, and abolish ICE.”
The endorsement reflects Hamawy’s broader alignment with the left-most wing of the Democratic Party, which has made the open 12th district one of its top targets this year. Hamawy also has the support of Justice Democrats, which is closely tied to “the Squad,” the group of progressive young House members (Omar among them) who began arriving in Washington in 2018.
His one other congressional endorsement, though, comes from a very different source. Back in his days as a combat surgeon with the U.S. Army, Hamawy helped to save Tammy Duckworth’s life; shortly after he launched his campaign for Congress, Duckworth, now a Democratic senator from Illinois, gave him her backing.