New York Politics: Kawas Wins Senate Seat

Aber Kawas took the lead in New York State Senate District 12 with a 75 percent share of the vote when the race was called. The New York Times confirmed the victory with 90 percent of ballots counted. Kawas enters the chamber as the first hijab-wearing Palestinian American to serve in the state legislature. She joins a small group of Palestinian Americans who have held state-level offices in the United States. After the win, Kawas posted a brief message to X stating, "We made history."

Her campaign ran on the slogan "Fund dignity, fight destruction." The first phrase outlined her support for universal healthcare, reliable public transit, and affordable housing. The second focused on climate action, immigrant protection, and a "No money for war" position. Kawas is a member of the Democratic Socialists of America. That organization has gained traction since Zohran Mamdani won the New York City mayoral race last year. Progressive Democrats including Senator Bernie Sanders and Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib endorsed her bid.

Before entering politics, Kawas spent more than 15 years organizing for workers, immigrants, and Palestinian rights. In 2023, she helped launch the "Not On Our Dime" campaign. The effort aimed to stop New York nonprofits from funding groups that support the Israeli occupation. She worked with then-Assembly member Mamdani and State Senator Jabari Brisport to draft a bill. The legislation, titled "Ending New York funding of Israeli settler violence act," did not become law due to opposition from other lawmakers. Kawas said the process inspired her to run for office herself.

Born and raised in Brooklyn to Palestinian parents who immigrated in the 1990s, Kawas is a vocal advocate for immigration reform. Her parents were undocumented when they arrived. She plans to pass the New York For All Act, which would end state and local cooperation with Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Her father was deported to Jordan while she was in high school. She described how his detention shifted the family's economic and psychological stability, forcing her siblings to work at a young age to support the household.

Kawas has maintained a visible Palestinian identity throughout her campaign. Earlier this year, she was arrested during a protest against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s visit to the United Nations in New York City. She was one of dozens detained and later released. She also opposed a $750,000 contract between the NYPD and Israeli surveillance company Cognyte. The deal would have allowed the police to use AI-powered mobile phone tracking. Kawas argued the tool violated residents' rights and lacked transparency. The NYPD backed out of the agreement last week following pressure from civil rights groups.

Kawas views her election as a break from a political culture that often silences pro-Palestinian voices. She noted that Democrats previously believed speaking for Palestinian human rights could end a career. Her win reflects a shift in the pro-Palestine community's presence in US politics. She remains focused on changing how New York handles policing and immigration. Her platform centers on community safety and economic support for immigrant families.