Votewiser 119th Congress News Hub
Portrait of Bonnie Watson Coleman

Represented by · Democratic

Bonnie Watson Coleman

Image for Hamawy to face Mele for New Jersey’s 12th Congressional District

Hamawy to face Mele for New Jersey’s 12th Congressional District

The Center Square · June 3, 2026

Symbols of the Democrat and Republican parties cut out of paper. Photo: Kelly Sikkema / Unsplash

(The Center Square) – Adam Hamawy has won the crowded Democratic Party race to succeed retiring U.S. Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman in New Jersey’s 12th Congressional District.

Hamawy, a U.S. Army veteran and doctor, was one of 13 candidates vying for the Democratic Party nod. The Associated Press called the race in his favor at 9:36 p.m. on Tuesday evening. As of 11:00 p.m. on Tuesday, with 85% of the votes counted, Hamawy received 27.8% of the vote, while Brad Cohen, the next closest Democrat, tallied 15.8% of the vote.

Gregg Mele, an attorney and multiple-time candidate for office, earned the Republican Party nomination. He was the only candidate from his party to file for the seat.

Coleman, who has served six terms in the U.S. House, announced in November that she would retire at the end of her current term.

In the competitive Democratic Party primary, Hamawy secured endorsements from multi…