Well-funded scientists’ group endorses Shah, Hamawy

314 Action Fund, a national group that supports Democratic scientists and doctors who run for public office – and, in many cases, spends substantial sums to get them elected – is endorsing two doctors running in two of New Jersey’s most competitive primaries this year.

In retiring Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-Ewing)’s 12th district, 314 Action Fund is endorsing Adam Hamawy, a surgeon and U.S. Army veteran, over his 11 Democratic primary foes – a field that also includes another practicing physician, East Brunswick Mayor Brad Cohen.

And in the neighboring 7th district, 314 Action Fund is supporting ICU doctor Tina Shah, one of four Democrats hoping to unseat Rep. Tom Kean Jr. (R-Westfield). 314 Action’s support for Shah has been fairly clear for some time; the group has promoted her campaign since she entered the race last summer, and Shah has appeared at several 314 Action events.

“After spending their careers on the front lines, two New Jersey doctors, Dr. Tina Shah and Dr. Adam Hamawy, are stepping up to run for Congress,” 314 Action President Shaughnessy Naughton said in a statement. “They’ve seen first hand what happens when a system is rigged to benefit insurance companies over New Jerseyans and what happens when Republicans turn their back on the Garden State.”

Though it’s hardly a household name in New Jersey politics, 314 Action Fund has played an increasingly large role in national Democratic politics in recent years thanks to its generous spending habits. In the 2024 election cycle, the group spent nearly $14 million nationwide to boost Democratic scientists and doctors in both primary and general elections; this cycle, it’s already reported spending more than $8 million.

Two years ago, one of the beneficiaries of that spending was Herb Conaway, then a state assemblyman seeking Rep. Andy Kim (D-Moorestown)’s open seat. 314 Action Fund spent $170,000 on ads supporting Conaway in what was otherwise a low-key and inexpensive race; Conaway won the Democratic primary in a landslide.

This year, Hamawy and Shah are undoubtedly hoping for similar outside support to help them win their primaries. Hamawy already has a different well-funded super PAC on his side: American Priorities, a new pro-Palestine PAC that’s spent more than $500,000 on pro-Hamawy ads and could spend as much as $2 million in total.