Hyderabad, Nov. 4 -- Aber Kawas has won the New York State Senate District 12 seat, becoming the first Palestinian American elected to the New York State Legislature.

Her victory also makes her the first hijab-wearing woman elected to the state legislature. She secured 75 per cent of the vote, with 90 per cent of ballots counted when The New York Times called the race on Tuesday, November 3.

Taking to X after her victory, Kawas wrote: 'We made history'."

Her win came in the 2026 US midterm elections, following her success in the Democratic primary in June. She campaigned under the slogan "Fund dignity, fight destruction", focusing on affordable housing, universal healthcare, reliable public transport, immigrant rights, climate action a...