Shibbir Ahmed, New York – A historic milestone has been achieved in New York State politics following the 2026 U.S. midterm elections. Democratic candidate Aber Kawas has won the New York State Senate seat in District 12 (SD-12), marking a breakthrough in the state’s political history.
According to projections by major U.S. news outlets, Kawas secured approximately 75 percent of the vote, defeating Republican candidate Han-Khon To by a wide margin, with around 90 percent of ballots counted. With this victory, Kawas is set to become the first Palestinian-American woman who wears a hijab to be elected to the New York State Legislature.
The district, which covers parts of Queens in New York City, has become a significant political battleground for progressive candidates. Kawas, a grassroots organizer backed by the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA), campaigned on a platform focused on affordable housing, universal healthcare, immigrant rights, and anti-war policies. Following her projected victory, Kawas celebrated the historic achievement in a brief post on the social media platform X, writing: “We made history.”
Political analysts view her strong performance as a significant milestone for the progressive movement in New York. Her victory also reflects growing support among voters, particularly younger generations, for candidates advocating progressive policies and social justice.
The result is also being viewed in the broader context of growing political opposition to the Trump administration’s conservative policy agenda. Kawas’s victory represents a historic moment for Palestinian-American representation, Muslim women in politics, and the progressive movement in New York.
