Abraham Hamadeh - Meet the Freshmen

Abraham Hamadeh

Abraham Hamadeh
PARTY:
Republican
CHAMBER:
House
STATE:
DISTRICT:
8

REPLACING:

Debbie Lesko (R) [i]

WORK HISTORY:

Candidate for Arizona Attorney General; Maricopa County Attorney’s Office (Prosecutor); Maricopa County Attorney’s Office (Intern); U.S. Army Reserve (Captain / Intelligence Officer) [ii] [iii] [iv]

EDUCATION:

JD, University of Arizona – James E. Rogers College of Law; BS, Arizona State University; Diploma, Cactus Shadows High School [v]

CAMPAIGNED ON:

Border Security; Election Integrity; Cost of Living; Fentanyl Crisis; Crime; Foreign Policy; Supporting Our Veterans; Protection of Seniors; Second Amendment; Protecting Life [vi]

ON THE ISSUES

REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS:

Hamadeh is a “pro-life advocate” who believes the fight for protecting life “goes well beyond the issue of abortion.” [vii] While running for Arizona attorney general in 2022, Hamadeh said he would have enforced the state’s 19th century abortion ban following the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade. [viii] In Congress, he will oppose “any effort that allows abortion with little to no restrictions.” Hamadeh has also advocated for a broader focus on the needs of young mothers to make sure they have the support they need to raise children. He also argues for expanding adoption and making pregnancy centers more available to those in need. [ix]

IMMIGRATION & BORDER SECURITY:

Hamadeh has argued that the border “is a complete disaster” due to the Biden administration’s “intentional policies.” In Congress, he has pledged to make border security a top priority and allocate resources to “end illegal border crossings and crimes at the border.” Hamadeh will also work with the Trump administration to classify drug cartels as terrorist organizations, end “catch and release,” and build the border wall. [x] [xi] He supports legal immigration, which would include “extensive vetting with checks and balances that are designed to keep the American people and communities safe.” [xii] Hamadeh has also called on Congress to withhold foreign aid “to any country that is not willing to work with the United States to control the flow of unfettered immigration.” [xiii] Notably, Hamadeh’s father reportedly overstayed his visa by nearly seven years and was not in the country legally when Hamadeh was born. [xiv]

ECONOMY & JOBS:

Hamadeh believes the federal government “has been living beyond its means for far too long and hard-working families are paying the price with record inflation.” [xv] He blames increased prices on the Biden administration’s handling of the economy.

TAXES:

Hamadeh signed Americans for Tax Reform’s Taxpayer Protection Pledge to oppose and vote against all income tax hikes. [xvi]

CRIME & PUBLIC SAFETY:

Hamadeh believes crime is “out of control” and that American cities “are falling to ruin.” He claims liberal policies have allowed criminals to act “without consequence and degrade civilized society.” In Congress, Hamadeh will support funding and “revitalizing” police forces and enforcing “existing laws that would punish the criminals causing havoc in our streets.” [xvii]

CLIMATE CHANGE, ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT:

Hamadeh has argued that the United States should focus on producing more domestic energy “to economically strengthen our country from within, decrease our dependence on unstable foreign regimes, and rebuild the Strategic Petroleum Reserves,” which he believes the Biden administration has “depleted for political gain.” [xviii] Hamadeh has argued that the “last thing” the government should do is “further burden” American families struggling with inflation “with high energy costs from failed New Green deal energy policies.” [xix]

FOREIGN POLICY:

Hamadeh argues that the world is “safest when America is strong” and has accused the Biden administration of a “complete failure in projecting American strength and the world is on fire because of it.” [xx] He believes the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan was “humiliating,” a move that showed “weakness and indecision” and “prompted malicious foreign actors around the world to advance their agendas.” [xxi] In Congress, Hamadeh has vowed to “promote peace through strength” by reestablishing Trump-era sanctions on China and Iran and demonstrating to our allies that the United States is “still the predominant world power.” [xxii] Hamadeh has called on the U.S. to “immediately” stop funding for Ukraine “and other proxy wars that take away from the prosperity of our own citizens.” [xxiii] He has proclaimed that the Jewish people “have no bigger ally than me,” and accused the Biden administration of “waffling” in its support of Israel and emboldening Iran. [xxiv] [xxv] Notably, in 2008, Hamadeh advocated for cutting U.S. funding to Israel and suggested he opposed Israel as a state. [xxvi]

HEALTHCARE & SOCIAL SAFETY NET:

Hamadeh has called for repealing and replacing the Affordable Care Act and opposed Medicaid expansion under the ACA. [xxvii] [xxviii] He believes “we must do everything we can to preserve Social Security for our seniors” and would oppose policies that jeopardize the program. [xxix] He has called for no taxes on Social Security. [xxx]

DEMOCRACY:

Hamadeh believes that recent elections have not been fair, including the 2022 midterm election where he narrowly lost his race for Arizona attorney general. [xxxi] [xxxii] He has claimed that President Biden won the presidency in 2020 because of voter fraud and has supported “prosecutions” of those responsible for overseeing Arizona’s elections. [xxxiii] He has pledged to fight “for those that were disenfranchised last November in court and will never waver in fighting for the integrity of our elections.” [xxxiv] In Congress, Hamadeh will work to “bring accountability to our elections” and to ensure voting rolls are clean and ban ranked choice voting at the federal level. [v] Notably, as a teen, Hamadeh bragged about committing voter fraud by altering and casting his mother’s absentee ballot. [xxxvi]

SOCIAL ISSUES:

Hamadeh has labeled gender affirming care “genital mutilation,” and has criticized progressives for not “even know[ing] what gender you are” and “tell[ing] us there are more than two genders.” [xxvii] [xxxvii] [xxxix]


[i] “Abe Hamadeh wins CD8 against Gregory Whitten, according to Decision Desk projections,” ABC 15 Arizona, November 6, 2024, available at https://www.abc15.com/news/political/elections/abe-hamadeh-wins-cd8-against-gregory-whitten-according-to-decision-desk-projections.

[ii] “Here’s what Arizona AG candidate Abraham Hamadeh says about qualifications, other issues,” KTAR News, September 12, 2022, available at https://ktar.com/story/5234934/heres-what-arizona-ag-candidate-abraham-hamadeh-says-about-qualifications-other-issues/.

[iii] Brandon Gillespie, “Army veteran running for Congress reveals plan to save America ‘hijacked by left-wing lunatics,’” Fox News, June 26, 2024, available at https://www.foxnews.com/politics/army-veteran-running-congress-reveals-plan-save-america-hijacked-left-wing-lunatics.

[iv] Alexis Waiss, “Fact-checking Arizona Democrats’ claim that Abraham Hamadeh misled about his legal experience,” PolitiFact, October 18, 2022, available at https://www.politifact.com/factchecks/2022/oct/18/arizona-democratic-party/fact-checking-arizona-democrats-claim-that-abraham/.

[v] “Incoming Rep. Abe Hamadeh,” LegiStorm, accessed November 3, 2024, available at https://www.legistorm.com/person/bio/479918/Abraham_Jamal_Hamadeh.html.

[vi] “Our Issues,” Abe for Congress, accessed November 3, 2024, available at https://www.abeforaz.com/our-issues.

[vii] “Our Issues,” Abe for Congress, accessed November 3, 2024, available at https://www.abeforaz.com/our-issues.

[viii] “Top Takeaways From Arizona Attorney General Debate,” American Bridge 21st Century, September 29, 2022, available at https://www.americanbridgepac.org/top-takeaways-from-arizona-attorney-general-debate/.

[ix] “Our Issues,” Abe for Congress, accessed November 3, 2024, available at https://www.abeforaz.com/our-issues.

[x] “Our Issues,” Abe for Congress, accessed November 3, 2024, available at https://www.abeforaz.com/our-issues.

[xi] Laura Gersony, “Arizona 8th Congressional District candidates: Where Hamadeh, Whitten stand on issues,” Arizona Republic, September 6, 2024, available at https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/politics/elections/2024/09/06/8th-congressional-district-election-abe-hamadeh-greg-whitten/75064208007/.

[xii] Laura Gersony, “Arizona 8th Congressional District candidates: Where Hamadeh, Whitten stand on issues,” Arizona Republic, September 6, 2024, available at https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/politics/elections/2024/09/06/8th-congressional-district-election-abe-hamadeh-greg-whitten/75064208007/.

[xiii] Laura Gersony, “Arizona 8th Congressional District candidates: Where Hamadeh, Whitten stand on issues,” Arizona Republic, September 6, 2024, available at https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/politics/elections/2024/09/06/8th-congressional-district-election-abe-hamadeh-greg-whitten/75064208007/.

[xiv] Tara Kavaler, “Abe Hamadeh’s statement on father’s immigration status omitted details about deportation order, records show,” Arizona Republic, September 13, 2022, available at https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/politics/elections/2022/09/13/arizona-ag-candidate-abe-hamadeh-left-out-details-deportation-order/10370671002/.

[xv] “Our Issues,” Abe for Congress, accessed November 3, 2024, available at https://www.abeforaz.com/our-issues.

[xvi] Preston Shirazi, “ATR Applauds Arizona Pledge Signers Ahead of July 30th Primary,” Americans for Tax Reform Press Release, July 29, 2024, available at https://atr.org/atr-applauds-arizona-pledge-signers-ahead-of-july-30th-primary/.

[xvii] “Our Issues,” Abe for Congress, accessed November 3, 2024, available at https://www.abeforaz.com/our-issues.

[xvii] “Our Issues,” Abe for Congress, accessed November 3, 2024, available at https://www.abeforaz.com/our-issues.

[xix] Laura Gersony, “Arizona 8th Congressional District candidates: Where Hamadeh, Whitten stand on issues,” Arizona Republic, September 6, 2024, available at https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/politics/elections/2024/09/06/8th-congressional-district-election-abe-hamadeh-greg-whitten/75064208007/.

[xx] “Our Issues,” Abe for Congress, accessed November 3, 2024, available at https://www.abeforaz.com/our-issues.

[xxi] “Our Issues,” Abe for Congress, accessed November 3, 2024, available at https://www.abeforaz.com/our-issues.

[xxii] “Our Issues,” Abe for Congress, accessed November 3, 2024, available at https://www.abeforaz.com/our-issues.

[xxiiii] Laura Gersony, “Arizona 8th Congressional District candidates: Where Hamadeh, Whitten stand on issues,” Arizona Republic, September 6, 2024, available at https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/politics/elections/2024/09/06/8th-congressional-district-election-abe-hamadeh-greg-whitten/75064208007/.

[xxiv] Clint Van Winkle, “One of Arizona’s most pro-Israel candidates Is Arab-American,” The Jerusalem Post, November 17, 2023, available at https://www.jpost.com/american-politics/article-773762.

[xxv] Laura Gersony, “Arizona 8th Congressional District candidates: Where Hamadeh, Whitten stand on issues,” Arizona Republic, September 6, 2024, available at https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/politics/elections/2024/09/06/8th-congressional-district-election-abe-hamadeh-greg-whitten/75064208007/.

[xxvi] Elias Weiss, “Abe Hamadeh Wants to be Arizona’s Top Cop. As a Teen, He Bragged About Voter Fraud,” Phoenix New Times, August 23, 2022, available at https://www.phoenixnewtimes.com/news/abe-hamadeh-bragged-about-voter-fraud-14257801.

[xxvii] Abe Hamadeh X, July 2, 2012, available at https://x.com/AbrahamHamadeh/status/219973554253471745.

[xxviii] Abe Hamadeh X, April 18, 2022, available at https://x.com/AbrahamHamadeh/status/1516065933109841923.

[xxix] “Our Issues,” Abe for Congress, accessed November 3, 2024, available at https://www.abeforaz.com/our-issues.

[xxx] Abe Hamadeh X, October 8, 2024, available at https://twitter.com/AbrahamHamadeh/status/1843765899276521523.

[xxxi] “Our Issues,” Abe for Congress, accessed November 3, 2024, available at https://www.abeforaz.com/our-issues.

[xxxii] Howard Fischer, “Hamadeh refuses to give up quest for re-vote of AG race,” Arizona Capitol Times, October 15, 2024, available at https://azcapitoltimes.com/news/2024/10/15/hamadeh-refuses-to-give-up-quest-for-re-vote-of-ag-race/.

[xxxiii] “Top Takeaways From Arizona Attorney General Debate,” American Bridge 21st Century, September 29, 2022, available at https://www.americanbridgepac.org/top-takeaways-from-arizona-attorney-general-debate/.

[xxxiv] “Our Issues,” Abe for Congress, accessed November 3, 2024, available at https://www.abeforaz.com/our-issues.

[xxxv] “Our Issues,” Abe for Congress, accessed November 3, 2024, available at https://www.abeforaz.com/our-issues.

[xxxvi] Elias Weiss, “Abe Hamadeh Wants to be Arizona’s Top Cop. As a Teen, He Bragged About Voter Fraud,” Phoenix New Times, August 23, 2022, available at https://www.phoenixnewtimes.com/news/abe-hamadeh-bragged-about-voter-fraud-14257801.

[xxvii] Abe Hamadeh X, August 26, 2023, available at https://twitter.com/AbrahamHamadeh/status/1695610372840210464.

[xxxviii] Abe Hamadeh X, March 31, 2022, available at https://twitter.com/AbrahamHamadeh/status/1509393999185866756.

[xxxix] Abe Hamadeh X, October 10, 2022, available at https://twitter.com/AbrahamHamadeh/status/1579624726863155200.

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