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Democratic Primary Winners Draw Scrutiny Over Past Associations
A 9/11 victim's brother questioned two Democratic nominees' records after their primary victories in New Jersey and New York. The candidates' past statements and affiliations prompted renewed attention from some voters.
Jun 27, 10:52 AM·1m read3 sources
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A brother of a September 11 victim publicly questioned the records of two Democratic primary winners in New Jersey and New York. Don Arias, an Air Force veteran whose brother died in the South Tower attacks, criticized the candidates' past associations and statements.
Hamawy won the Democratic nomination for New Jersey's 12th Congressional District on June 2. He previously testified in defense of Omar Abdel-Rahman during the 1993 World Trade Center bombing trial and worked with the Benevolence International Foundation in Bosnia in 1994.
The U.S. government later designated that foundation a financier of terrorism. Hamawy's campaign did not respond to a request for comment.
Kawas secured the Democratic nomination for New York State Senate District 12. She previously described the September 11 attacks as actions by "a couple of people" and criticized the absence of reparations for slavery and other historical events. Kawas declined interview requests and referred questions to her social media account.
Arias said the candidates' past remarks and connections raised concerns about their fitness for office. He also criticized the education system for what he described as grooming young voters toward radical beliefs.
