By Joseph Catena
It’s probably safe to say not many people in political circles are familiar with Greg Mele. For that matter, the same could be said for those outside of political circles as well.
It is vital, however, that people get to know him quickly, especially voters in New Jersey’s 12th congressional district.
Mele is the longshot Republican candidate who will face off against terrorist-loving Democrat Adam Hamawy, who won a crowded Democratic primary with only 28 percent of the vote. Dr. Hamawy (who, unlike Jill Biden, is an actual doctor) once defended Omar Abdel-Rahman, the “Blind Sheikh,” a man convicted of terrorism and seditious conspiracy, after his followers carried out the 1993 World Trade Center bombing. Democrats, of course have turned a blind eye to Dr. Hamawy’s affiliation. Notable leftists like Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, California Rep. Ro Khanna, and New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez are among a cadre of subversive office holders who have endorsed him. Dr. Hamawy is considered a shoo-in for the seat.
Here’s where the National Republican Party needs to show some gumption.
Campaign dollars are precious, and many of them will need to be spent to defend and retain both houses. New Jersey’s 12th district will probably get none of it. However, Mele should be propped up and supported. It would be the ultimate show of strength and principle.
Republicans may want to start the “No Way Hamawy” campaign by courting Plainfield, NJ Mayor Adrian O. Mapp, who ran against the good doctor in the primary. Although Mapp is a fellow progressive, he campaigned aggressively and called out his leftist foe during an interview with InsiderNJ. Mapp, who is strongly pro-Israel, said anyone campaigning with an antisemitic philosophy should be condemned. Mapp also pointed out that Hamawy described Hezbollah and Hamas as “freedom fighters,” and said his past association with the Blind Sheikh indicates he is a radical extremist. To his credit, Mapp seems to be the only local or national Democrat (surely Sen. John Fetterman could be counted in if asked) outwardly chastising Hamawy.
Fellow GOP New Jersey House members, Tom Kean, Chris Smith, and Jeff Van Drew – all in relatively safe seats – should also unify and rally behind Mele to show Republican solidarity. Remember, President Trump won 11 out of the Garden State’s 21 counties in 2024, which proves there is a Republican presence in New Jersey among various sects of voters. Mele’s platform appears to be mainstream MAGA. He favors the proper use of ICE, is an advocate for parental rights when it comes to schools withholding information about transgender children, smaller government, and favored the strikes against Iran, but did not want to see boots on the ground. He is a clear contrast from his radical opponent, whose platform is Mamdani-esque to go along with his rancid background affiliations.
National Republicans cannot afford to count on the far-left imploding on its own. Nor can they simply brush off the crazy left when they win in a deep blue district or city. “That seat was blue anyway,” is not how to approach this. We can’t just leave our GOP soldiers to die because the opposition they face is too big and blue. By not giving Greg Mele any money or political ammo, Republicans are directly, albeit silently saying, “That seat was blue anyway. We’ll just let these terrorist sympathizing socialists get away with this one. It’s only one seat.”
No!
Make these Democrats work for their seat. Send a loud message that the GOP will do all it can to prevent antisemitic socialists from taking over. Bringing attention may inspire more GOP donors to at least give small donations. It will also further showcase how low the Democrats have sunk and how morally bereft they are. They are literally making deals with the devil to push psychopaths like Graham Platner and weirdos like James Talarico (different types of crazies, same dangerous platforms) to win seats. Even with a loss, Republicans will send a message and claim all moral high ground.
More importantly, they will make an effort to stop the cancer of socialism that Dr. Hamawy will surely spread if he wins that seat.
Greg Mele would be a very suitable cure.