Don Arias, an Air Force veteran and former New York City firefighter who lost his brother in the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, is raising concerns about two Democratic primary winners he says have ties to extremism or have made controversial statements about terrorism. His criticism comes as both candidates prepare for general election contests this fall.

Arias's brother Adam worked on the 84th floor of the South Tower and died when the building collapsed following the coordinated al-Qaeda attacks that killed nearly 3,000 people. Arias witnessed the destruction from his position as a first responder and has since advocated for families of Sept. 11 victims.

"When it comes to terrorist sympathizers, I don't really suffer fools kindly, and this guy is beyond the pale," Arias said of Dr. Adam Hamawy, who won the Democratic primary for New Jersey's 12th Congressional District on June 2. Hamawy defeated five other candidates to replace outgoing Rep. Bonnie Watson-Coleman in the blue-leaning district.

Hamawy is a veteran combat plastic surgeon who operates a private practice in New Jersey. In his past, he had contact with Omar Abdel-Rahman, known as the "Blind Sheikh," who was convicted as the mastermind of the 1993 World Trade Center bombing. Hamawy met with Abdel-Rahman in 1991 and later testified on behalf of the defense during his trial. Abdel-Rahman died in federal prison in 2017.

In 1994, Hamawy participated in what he described as a humanitarian mission to Bosnia working with the Benevolence International Foundation, which was later designated by the U.S. government as a financier of terrorism over its ties to al-Qaeda following the Sept. 11 attacks.

What the Left Is Saying

Progressive Democrats who backed Hamawy's campaign point to his credentials as a veteran and medical professional. Supporters argue that his past associations occurred when he was a young adult and do not reflect his current positions or values. They note he has not faced legal consequences for those relationships and emphasize his commitment to serving constituents in the district.

Democratic strategists in New Jersey have largely remained quiet on the issue, with some noting that Hamawy's primary victory reflects voters' assessment of his qualifications rather than a broader embrace of his past associations. The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee has not commented publicly on the race.

Regarding Aber Kawas, who won the Democratic nomination for New York State Senate District 12, progressive voices have pointed to her platform focusing on healthcare access and housing affordability. Supporters argue her 2017 podcast comments were made in an academic context discussing the root causes of terrorism and should be understood within that framework rather than as a literal endorsement of the attacks.

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, who backed Kawas during the primary, has defended her candidacy, noting that she represents constituents' concerns about kitchen-table issues. Democratic colleagues in Albany have not distanced themselves from Kawas, and party leadership has not called for her to withdraw from the race.

What the Right Is Saying

Republican National Committee officials have pointed to both candidates as examples of a leftward shift within the Democratic Party. The RNC released a statement saying voters deserve to know about "anti-American sentiments" held by candidates seeking federal and state office.

Arias has become an informal spokesperson for conservative critics of the primary results, arguing that voter education is insufficient. "We're not educating the voters, and the voters aren't doing the proper research into their candidates," he told Fox News Digital. "I think if they knew this guy had these kinds of connections... they wouldn't vote for him."

GOP officials in New Jersey are targeting Hamawy's general election bid, with state Republican leadership arguing his associations should disqualify him from representing a district that includes families affected by terrorism. National security-focused Republican commentators have amplified Arias's concerns on social media.

In New York, Republican State Senate candidates have sought to tie Democratic opponents to Kawas's past statements, arguing her views represent a fringe element within the party that mainstream Democrats are unwilling to reject publicly.

What the Numbers Show

Hamawy received approximately 28% of the vote in the six-person Democratic primary for New Jersey's 12th Congressional District, according to unofficial results from the New Jersey Division of Elections. His closest competitor earned roughly 22%. The district has voted Democratic in every presidential election since 1992.

Kawas won her state Senate primary with approximately 54% of the vote against two opponents. New York State Senate District 12 covers portions of Queens and Brooklyn and has been held by Democrats for decades.

Neither candidate faces a primary challenge from within their own party, meaning both will appear as the Democratic nominees in November general elections. Historical data shows that general election turnout in midterm years is typically 15-20 percentage points lower than presidential year turnout, which could affect outcome calculations.

No independent polling has been conducted specifically on either race since the June primaries concluded.

The Bottom Line

Both candidates have distanced themselves from their most controversial associations and statements. Hamawy's campaign has not responded to requests for comment on this story but has previously stated he regrets his youthful associations. Kawas's office did not respond to inquiries about whether she stands by her 2017 podcast remarks.

The general elections will test whether these controversies resonate with general election voters in traditionally Democratic districts, or remain primarily fodder for political debate. Both Hamawy and Kawas face Republican opponents who are likely to continue raising questions about their backgrounds.

Arias has indicated he plans to continue public advocacy but emphasized he is not affiliated with any political party or campaign committee. "Show me who your friends are, and I'll tell you who you are," he said. "I don't think people should forget."