# Aber Kawas becomes first Palestinian American elected to New York State Legislature

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/aber-kawas-becomes-first-palestinian-american-elected-to-new-york-state-legislature/
- Published: 2026-11-04T11:57:07+00:00
- Updated: 2026-11-05T23:54:03+00:00
- Original publisher: Middle East Eye (publisher lean: Left)
- Original article: https://www.middleeasteye.net/live-blog/live-blog-update/aber-kawas-becomes-first-palestinian-american-elected-new-york-state
- Topics: Americas, Elections, Government, Politics, World

## Key points

- Aber Kawas won New York Senate District 12 with 75 per cent of the vote.
- She is the first hijab-wearing Palestinian American in the state legislature.
- Her campaign focused on public services, climate action and opposing war funding.

## Summary

Aber Kawas has won the New York State Senate District 12 race, becoming the first hijab-wearing Palestinian American to serve in the state legislature. Her election adds to the small number of Palestinian Americans elected to state-level office across the US.

With 90 per cent of votes counted when the race was called, Kawas had 75 per cent of the vote. Her campaign slogan, “Fund dignity, fight destruction”, reflected support for universal healthcare, reliable public transport and affordable housing, alongside action on climate change, immigrant protection and opposition to funding war. She is a member of the Democratic Socialists of America.

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Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.