Rep. Jamaal Bowman, D-N.Y., on May 8, 2024, in Washington, D.C.Anna Moneymaker / Getty Images file
June 26, 2024 Story by: Editor
New York Congressman Jamaal Bowman has been defeated in a primary challenge, as projected results show, in a race that has exposed deep divisions within the Democratic Party regarding the Israel-Gaza conflict. George Latimer, 70, entered the race in December, prompted by local Jewish leaders upset with Bowman’s outspoken criticism of Israel.
Bowman, a former school principal, accused Israel of genocide—a claim Israel denies—and consistently questioned the Biden administration’s support for Israel’s government. The American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) played a significant role in the race, spending nearly $15 million to unseat the progressive representative in New York’s 16th congressional district. In total, $24.8 million was spent by various groups, making it the most expensive House of Representatives primary in history.
With 88% of the votes counted on Tuesday evening, Latimer had secured more than 58% of the vote, compared to Bowman’s 42%. Latimer, a long-time county executive, positioned himself as a staunch supporter of Israel, labeling Hamas as a terrorist organization unwilling to negotiate. After his victory, he called for unity and criticized extremist views, stating, “We have to look at the arguments of the far right and the far left, and say you cannot destroy this country with your rhetoric and your arguments.”
Bowman, who assumed office in 2020, accused AIPAC of attempting to “buy” the race in the district, which covers Westchester County and part of the Bronx. “We should be outraged when a Super PAC of dark money can spend $20 million to brainwash people into believing something that isn’t true,” he said.
Last year, Bowman faced formal censure from US lawmakers after triggering a fire alarm while Congress was in session, causing an evacuation as Democrats were trying to delay a vote to prevent a government shutdown.
Bowman, viewed as a newer member of the House’s “Squad” of progressive lawmakers, including fellow New Yorker Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, is the first among them to lose an election. Defeated by the more centrist Latimer, Bowman had been trailing significantly earlier in the month; an Emerson College poll showed Latimer leading 48% to 31%.
Bowman’s loss may indicate future challenges for other members of the progressive group. Polls suggest Missouri Representative Cori Bush is in a tight race with a more moderate primary challenger. However, it’s too early to declare a broader trend for the progressive movement, as other “Squad” members, including Representatives Ocasio-Cortez and Rashida Tlaib, have already secured definitive primary victories.
Bowman’s odds were likely affected by a redistricting change soon after his election, which extended his district’s boundaries north into more affluent suburbs of New York City. Latimer received support from former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, while Bowman was endorsed by House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, Ocasio-Cortez, and Senator Bernie Sanders.
Other primary races occurred on Tuesday in Utah and Colorado. In Colorado, Republican Lauren Boebert emerged victorious over five rivals in the state’s fourth congressional district. Boebert, 37, chose to run in the heavily conservative district after narrowly winning re-election in the state’s third district in 2022. This primary marked her first campaign since her personal life attracted national media attention, including an incident last year where she apologized after being escorted out of a Denver theatre for vaping, singing, and causing a disturbance. Source: BBC
