‘Shaping Up to Be a Clean Sweep’: Sanders-Backed Candidates Prevail in Tuesday Primaries
Sanders has said his endorsements are about “building a movement for the future” capable of not just taking on the GOP, but also the Democratic Party establishment.
Sanders has said his endorsements are about “building a movement for the future” capable of not just taking on the GOP, but also the Democratic Party establishment.
Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) speaks during a “Fighting Oligarchy” tour stop at the Collins Center for the Arts on the University of Maine campus on May 24, 2026 in Orono, Maine.
(Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
Brad Reed
Jun 03, 2026
COMMON DREAMS
Progressive candidates endorsed by Sen. Bernie Sanders swept to victory on Tuesday in Democratic primaries across the US.
In New Jersey, surgeon Adam Hamawy prevailed in the Democratic primary in the state’s 12th Congressional District, while Rep. Analilia Mejia (D-NJ) easily defeated primary challengers in the state’s 11th Congressional District by garnering more than 80% of the vote. Sanders (I-Vt.) endorsed both candidates.
‘Building a Movement for the Future,’ Bernie Sanders Endorses 61 State and Local Progressives
Sanders-backed candidates in California also put in strong showings, with former San Francisco city supervisor Jane Kim advancing to the general election in the race to be the state’s next insurance commissioner.
Political scientist Randy Villegas, meanwhile, is currently edging out rival Jasmeet Bains in the jungle primary in California’s 22nd Congressional District, currently represented by Rep. David Valadao (R-Calif.).
And in Montana, former smokejumper and union leader Sam Forstag won the Democratic primary to represent the state’s 1st Congressional District, where he’ll face off against Republican Aaron Flint in the fall.
Sanders adviser Faiz Shakir on Wednesday took a victory lap in the wake of the results.
“Shaping up to be a clean sweep for Bernie’s endorsements last night,” Shakir wrote in a social media post.
In an interview with The New York Times last month, Sanders said that his goal with the endorsements is “building a movement for the future” capable of not just taking on President Donald Trump’s Republican Party, but also the Democratic Party establishment.
“Our effort is to lead a national movement against Trump’s authoritarianism and kleptocracy and unnecessary wars and his contempt for the Constitution,” Sanders told the Times. “But equally important, the American people need an alternative to the Democratic establishment, which is significantly dominated by big-money interests.”
Surgeon Who Treated Victims of US-Backed Israeli Genocide Wins House Primary in New Jersey
“I am going to Congress to fight for you—for healthcare, not bombs, to abolish ICE, and to unrig the economy once and for all,” Adam Hamawy told supporters.
Dr. Adam Hamawy was pictured at an election night party on June 2, 2026 in Princeton, New Jersey.
(Photo: Adam Hamawy/X.com)
Jake Johnson
Jun 03, 2026
COMMON DREAMS
Dr. Adam Hamawy, a retired US Army combat surgeon who in 2024 volunteered at a Gaza hospital amid Israel’s genocidal assault, handily prevailed Tuesday in the Democratic primary race in New Jersey’s 12th Congressional District after running on a message of “healthcare, not bombs.”
“I am going to Congress to fight for you—for healthcare, not bombs, to abolish ICE, and to unrig the economy once and for all,” said Hamawy, the heavy favorite to win in November in the deep-blue district. “I will never take money from corporate PACs or AIPAC. I will always vote my conscience—I will be beholden to no one.”
Justice Democrats and IMEU Policy Project, progressive organizations that backed Hamawy with $200,000 in mail ads, celebrated his victory in the crowded primary, where the surgeon received nearly 10,000 more votes than the second-place candidate.
“Dr. Adam Hamawy’s heroism and commitment to human rights were at the heart of his campaign to end Washington’s bottomless budgets for war abroad and to invest in communities at home,” the groups said in a joint statement. “Voters were drawn to Dr. Hamawy’s candidacy because he knows firsthand the reality of Israel’s genocide in Gaza like few do—having worked to save the lives of Palestinian children under bombardment and unimaginable conditions.”
“His experience is necessary in Congress now more than ever, as too many of the people meant to represent us continue to look the other way while our tax dollars fund injustices here and abroad,” they added. “Dr. Hamawy will not look away from injustice, because he is unbought and committed to building on his lifetime of service to chart a new path in our politics away from cruelty, and toward compassion for all.”
Hamawy’s campaign was also backed by prominent progressive lawmakers, including US Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), who celebrated his win in a social media post late Tuesday.
“Dr. Hamawy will be a strong progressive voice in the House and, as a physician, he understands our healthcare system is broken and we need Medicare for All,” Sanders wrote.
Hamawy, who is running to fill the seat of retiring Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman, has spoken openly about his experience volunteering at the European Hospital in southern Gaza, from which he was evacuated in May 2024 after Israeli authorities trapped him and his team in the besieged enclave.
“I have never in my career witnessed the level of atrocities and targeting of my medical colleagues as I have in Gaza,” said Hamawy, who served in Iraq. US Sen. Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.) credits Hamawy with saving her life after her helicopter was shot down in Iraq in 2004.
Speaking to supporters late Tuesday, Hamawy said that “for my whole life, I have tried to tackle the crises we face with my hands, treating patients.”
“But I am a surgeon. I don’t like putting Band-Aids on bullet wounds,” he continued. “It’s time for some preventative care. To get my patients—and all of us—the care they need, we are going to change the very system that’s hurting us.”
“I am going to Congress to fight for you—for healthcare, not bombs, to abolish ICE, and to unrig the economy once and for all,” Adam Hamawy told supporters.
Dr. Adam Hamawy was pictured at an election night party on June 2, 2026 in Princeton, New Jersey.
(Photo: Adam Hamawy/X.com)
Jake Johnson
Jun 03, 2026
COMMON DREAMS
Dr. Adam Hamawy, a retired US Army combat surgeon who in 2024 volunteered at a Gaza hospital amid Israel’s genocidal assault, handily prevailed Tuesday in the Democratic primary race in New Jersey’s 12th Congressional District after running on a message of “healthcare, not bombs.”
“I am going to Congress to fight for you—for healthcare, not bombs, to abolish ICE, and to unrig the economy once and for all,” said Hamawy, the heavy favorite to win in November in the deep-blue district. “I will never take money from corporate PACs or AIPAC. I will always vote my conscience—I will be beholden to no one.”
‘How to Sell a Genocide’: Media Critic’s Book Details Biased Coverage of Israeli Assault on Gaza
Justice Democrats and IMEU Policy Project, progressive organizations that backed Hamawy with $200,000 in mail ads, celebrated his victory in the crowded primary, where the surgeon received nearly 10,000 more votes than the second-place candidate.
“Dr. Adam Hamawy’s heroism and commitment to human rights were at the heart of his campaign to end Washington’s bottomless budgets for war abroad and to invest in communities at home,” the groups said in a joint statement. “Voters were drawn to Dr. Hamawy’s candidacy because he knows firsthand the reality of Israel’s genocide in Gaza like few do—having worked to save the lives of Palestinian children under bombardment and unimaginable conditions.”
“His experience is necessary in Congress now more than ever, as too many of the people meant to represent us continue to look the other way while our tax dollars fund injustices here and abroad,” they added. “Dr. Hamawy will not look away from injustice, because he is unbought and committed to building on his lifetime of service to chart a new path in our politics away from cruelty, and toward compassion for all.”
Hamawy’s campaign was also backed by prominent progressive lawmakers, including US Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), who celebrated his win in a social media post late Tuesday.
“Dr. Hamawy will be a strong progressive voice in the House and, as a physician, he understands our healthcare system is broken and we need Medicare for All,” Sanders wrote.
Hamawy, who is running to fill the seat of retiring Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman, has spoken openly about his experience volunteering at the European Hospital in southern Gaza, from which he was evacuated in May 2024 after Israeli authorities trapped him and his team in the besieged enclave.
“I have never in my career witnessed the level of atrocities and targeting of my medical colleagues as I have in Gaza,” said Hamawy, who served in Iraq. US Sen. Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.) credits Hamawy with saving her life after her helicopter was shot down in Iraq in 2004.
Speaking to supporters late Tuesday, Hamawy said that “for my whole life, I have tried to tackle the crises we face with my hands, treating patients.”
“But I am a surgeon. I don’t like putting Band-Aids on bullet wounds,” he continued. “It’s time for some preventative care. To get my patients—and all of us—the care they need, we are going to change the very system that’s hurting us.”
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