Kawas Wins New York State Senate Seat

Socialist Democrat Aber Kawas defeats Republican Han-Khon To in the 12th State Senate District.

Updated on Nov. 8, 2026 in Elections

Socialist Democratic nominee Aber Kawas defeated Republican Han-Khon To in New York's 12th State Senate District on Tuesday. Kawas becomes the first Palestinian American elected to the New York State Legislature.

Why it matters

Kawas's win adds a democratic socialist and Palestinian American voice to the state legislature representing diverse Queens neighborhoods. Her victory post, which displayed a Palestinian flag emoji without an American flag, has drawn attention to the intersection of identity and representation in the race.

The race was decided on Tuesday in the 12th State Senate District, which covers parts of Astoria, Sunnyside, Woodside, Ridgewood, Maspeth, Long Island City, Elmhurst, Glendale, and Jackson Heights. Exact vote tallies and margin were not included in the available extraction, leaving the size of the victory unconfirmed.

The players

Aber Kawas

Aber Kawas is a Socialist Democratic nominee and community organizer who won the 12th State Senate District seat.

Han-Khon To

Han-Khon To was the Republican nominee in the 12th State Senate District race.

Zohran Mamdani

Zohran Mamdani is a New York politician who endorsed Kawas in the race.

Bernie Sanders

Bernie Sanders is a U.S. Senator from Vermont and prominent democratic socialist who endorsed Kawas.

The details

Kawas announced the win in an X post reading "We made history" alongside a Palestinian flag emoji, with no American flag shown. She describes herself as a community organizer and democratic socialist, and was endorsed by Zohran Mamdani, Rashida Tlaib, Bernie Sanders, and Jamaal Bowman. Kawas says her father's deportation by ICE when she was a child shaped her commitment to building power for poor and working people.

Tuesday: Election day in the 12th State Senate District race (November 2026)

Season Trajectory

Kawas's victory extends a pattern of democratic socialist candidates backed by Zohran Mamdani winning Queens legislative seats. Her win adds to a growing bloc of left-aligned members in the New York State Senate.

Kawas's seat affects residents of Astoria, Sunnyside, Woodside, Ridgewood, Maspeth, Long Island City, Elmhurst, Glendale, and Jackson Heights, who will be represented in Albany. The win shapes which policy priorities reach the state Senate from Queens.

The takeaway

Voters in the 12th State Senate District have elected a candidate whose campaign centered on community organizing and democratic socialism. Following the certified count will confirm the final margin.