New York Senate

Aber Kawas, a Palestinian-American Democratic Socialist from Queens, is running for New York Senate District 12 and has received endorsement from Zohran Mamdani. If elected, she could become the first Palestinian in the New York Senate. Kawas emphasizes community organizing and civic engagement, drawing on her experiences as a Palestinian immigrant and her father's deportation following 9/11.

New York Democrats are expected to approach redistricting cautiously, despite having the most to gain, due to a desire to protect minority voting rights and avoid gerrymandering wars. The Supreme Court's decision to end a key provision of the Voting Rights Act has allowed states to break up districts previously drawn to accommodate minority voters. New York lawmakers are expected to begin the process of approving a constitutional amendment to redraw congressional lines in 2028.