State Senator - District 12
Aber Kawas
Community organizer and member of New York City's Democratic Socialists of America chapter who was Associate Director of Partnerships at CLEAR from July 2024 to April 2026 and earlier was Advocacy Director at the Arab American Association of NY.
Issues Aber is raising
Health care coverage and hospital staffing
Supports passing the New York Health Act so every New Yorker gets free, comprehensive care at the point of service regardless of employment, income or immigration status. Also wants guaranteed safe-staffing ratios at all New York hospitals, and higher wages, an end to the 24-hour workday and better conditions for long-term care workers.
Housing costs and tenant protections
Wants a state Social Housing Development Authority to build permanently affordable, union-built homes, and zoning changes that allow more affordable housing near transit. Supports fully carrying out Good Cause Eviction, a Tenant Power Act requiring landlords to bargain with tenant unions, and the End Predatory Home Flipping Act.
Buses, transit and street safety
Wants every MTA bus made fast and free, with rush-hour waits of six minutes or less, and supports funding the Interborough Express to link Queens and Brooklyn without a trip through Manhattan. Also wants New York City allowed to set its own speed limits and install traffic cameras to end traffic deaths.
Taxes on high earners
Supports taxing the wealthy to raise money for social services that make people's lives more affordable.
State and local cooperation with immigration enforcement
Supports passing New York For All to end state and local law enforcement cooperation with ICE, and Dignity Not Detention to bar state and local contracts with ICE detention facilities. Also wants local law enforcement barred from contracting with Flock Safety, whose AI-enabled technology she says can be used by ICE.
Background
A Brooklyn native and the daughter of Palestinian refugees, she moved to the district in 2024 and won the June 23, 2026 Democratic primary with 60.2% of the vote.
- Associate Director of Partnerships, CLEAR, July 2024 to April 2026
- Former NYC Advocacy Specialist, Campaign to Take on Hate, National Network of Arab American Communities
- Former Advocacy Director, Arab American Association of NY
- Organized with Arab and Muslim communities in New York City on police surveillance, racial profiling and immigrant rights
- Organized in the Fight for $15 and for immigration reform; helped develop and launch the Not On Our Dime campaign
- Worked on Khader El-Yateem's 2017 City Council campaign in Bay Ridge
- Member of the New York City chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America; describes herself as a democratic socialist
- Launched a campaign for the 34th Assembly District before switching to this Senate race
- Won the June 23, 2026 Democratic primary over Steven Raga with about 60% of the vote
- Daughter of Palestinian refugees, born and raised in New York City; her father was detained by ICE and deported to Jordan when she was 16
- Brooklyn native who moved to the district in 2024
- Would be the first Palestinian-American member of the New York State Legislature if elected
Support
Zohran Mamdani
“I am extremely proud to endorse a slate of candidates who will advance our affordability agenda in Albany.”
— Zohran Mamdani, Mayor of New York City
New York City Democratic Socialists of America
“When this opportunity opened up, we knew Aber was the perfect candidate to take on this seat and be another leading voice for working-class people in the State Senate.”
— Grace Mausser, co-chair of NYC DSA
Our Revolution
“Our Revolution is proud to endorse Aber Kawas for New York State Senate District 12 — a community organizer and democratic socialist who has spent more than 15 years fighting alongside working-class New Yorkers.”
— Our Revolution
Money
$241K
raised
Individuals and partnerships
Others running for State Senator - District 12