Sen Tammy Duckworth backs Adam Hamawy, Army physician who aided her after Iraq crash

SPRINGFIELD, ILLINOIS: Senator Tammy Duckworth endorsed a new House candidate, Adam Hamawy, a former Army physician who is running for New Jersey’s 12th District on Thursday, January 15.

The Illinois senator’s endorsement came more than 20 years after Hamawy saved her life when her helicopter was shot down in Iraq. 

Tammy Duckworth issues statement in support of Adam Hamawy

The Illinois senator showed her support for the New Jersey candidate in the form of a statement. She wrote that not only was she alive because of Hamawy, but she had been able to serve America and the state of Illinois because of him. 

While addressing the residents of New Jersey, Tammy said that the entire country was looking for leaders with the courage to speak the truth and the willingness to call out domestic and international injustices. 

“And that determination to spend every day working to make their lives better. Dr Hamawy is that leader, and I’m so proud to be his friend and endorse his campaign for Congress,” Duckworth wrote.

The same day, the New Jersey Congressional candidate recalled a 2024 stint with the Illinois senator in Gaza.

He recalled that he was stranded with some aid workers during the war, and that he and Duckworth saved each other’s lives. 

“My team got trapped. We couldn’t leave, and she was instrumental in helping us get out,” he said.

He added that Tammy Duckworth stepped in and provided assistance when nobody else listened to the stranded group. Hamawy added that being of service was his tie to Duckworth, adding that they typically don’t leave anyone behind.

“We are there for each other,” he added. 

Adam Hamawy launches Congressional campaign

During his congressional campaign video, Hamawy admitted that politics was never part of his life. 

However, due to his experience as a surgeon during difficult times such as the 9/11 attacks, and in Iraq and Gaza, he wanted to fight for health care and American veterans. 

“For all of us here at home, and to put humanity first. I’ve gotten my hands dirty my whole life. Now I’m ready to do it again,” he said.

While speaking to NBC News, Hamawy stated that with his campaign, he wanted to highlight the money that was being spent on foreign issues that could be used for domestic issues instead.

He added that since he had experience working in foreign places, he had an understanding of how foreign policies affected people in America.

“We could watch the news and what’s happening with wars, what’s happening with our relationships with other countries. But that really does impact us here every single day, and some of these resources that we’re spending can be used, actually, to help us here, you know, in our hometowns, in our hospitals, in our schools,” he added.