Aber Kawas secured the New York State Senate District 12 seat in a commanding performance called by The New York Times. Running as a member of the Democratic Socialists of America, her platform tied local community investments directly to progressive international positions. The win builds on previous high-profile socialist victories in the region, including Zohran Mamdani's mayoral triumph last year. Her platform distinctively paired domestic goals like universal healthcare and transit with opposition to war funding.
Key points
The election expands the growing electoral footprint and political influence of the Democ…: The election expands the growing electoral footprint and political influence of the Democratic Socialists of America in New York.
Kawas joins an exceedingly small group of Palestinian Americans who have won state-level…: Kawas joins an exceedingly small group of Palestinian Americans who have won state-level office across the nation.
Her legislative focus will balance funding universal healthcare and housing against effor…: Her legislative focus will balance funding universal healthcare and housing against efforts to protect immigrants and combat climate change.
Sources checked by our analysis pipeline: 1
Aber Kawas has won her bid for the New York State Senate District 12 seat, taking a 75 percent share of the votes with 90 percent of the votes counted when the race was called by the New York Times.
Kawas has made history as the first hijab-wearing Palestinian American to serve in the New York State Legislature. She joins a small list of Palestinian Americans to ever be elected at the state level across the US.
Kawas posted a short message to X after the victory saying, "We made history".
"Fund dignity, fight destruction" was the slogan Kawas campaigned with. "Fund dignity" refers to her stance on healthcare for all, fast and reliable public transportation, and affordable housing. "Fight destruction" refers to her positions on stopping climate change, protecting immigrants and her "No money for war" stance.
Kawas is a member of the Democratic Socialists of America, a group that has made unprecedented gains since its member Zohran Mamdani won the historic mayoral race in New York City last year.
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