Aber Kawas Set to Be First Palestinian Muslim Woman in NY State Legislature

Aber Kawas, a Palestinian-American community organizer, won the Democratic primary for New York State Senate District 12 in Queens, defeating Assembly member Steven Raga with roughly 60% of the vote. If elected, she would become the first Palestinian Muslim woman in the New York State Legislature. Endorsed by Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani, Kawas campaigned on affordable housing, universal healthcare, immigration reform, climate action, and opposition to U.S. funding for Israel's war in Gaza. Her activism was shaped by her father's ICE detention and deportation.