US midterms: Democrat wins North Carolina as first polls close

Adam Hamawy, an Egyptian-American Democrat, is set to win a seat in Congress for New Jersey after the US midterms, according to projections. The 74 per cent vote share he secured has led the AP to call the race on Tuesday evening. Born in Egypt and raised in Old Bridge Township, New Jersey, Hamawy moved to the US as a baby. Prior to serving as a surgeon in Gaza, he was a combat surgeon in the army, having served in the Iraq war.

It was during the Iraq war that Hamawy gained recognition for saving fellow soldier Senator Tammy Duckworth's life after her helicopter was shot down in 2004.

Hamawy volunteered in Gaza during Israel's war there in 2024 and 2025, serving as a humanitarian trauma surgeon. His volunteer work in Syria, Lebanon, Sudan, Jordan, Turkey, Bosnia, Haiti, Belize, and Colombia highlights his dedication to humanitarian causes. Hamawy has been vocal about his opposition to the war against Iran and has called for an end to US aid to Israel.

New Jersey, with its significant Arab-American population of approximately 180,000, has been projected to support Hamawy's candidacy. If successful, Hamawy will be one of five Muslims in the House of Representatives and the first Egyptian-American to hold a seat in Congress. Currently, Republicans hold a narrow majority of 218-214 over Democrats in the House.