Jamaal Bowman, a two-term Democratic representative from New York, has the dubious honor of becoming the first House Member So far in the 2024 election cycle, neither party is likely to be defeated by a primary challenger.
and Boman also became the first Squad memberThe Progressives, a diverse group of House Democrats, would be shut out of Congress.
That came after the Associated Press projected that opponent George Latimer would defeat Bowman in Tuesday’s Democratic primary in New York’s 16th Congressional District — which covers southern Westchester County (in suburban New York City) and a small portion of The Bronx.
The primary between Bowman — a former middle school principal who defeated 16-term Rep. Eliot Engel in the Democratic primary four years ago — and Latimer, the Westchester County executive, has already etched its name in the record books as the most expensive congressional primary in the nation’s history.
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U.S. Rep. Jamaal Bowman (D-NY) greets Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT) as he campaigns in the Bronx borough of New York City, U.S., June 22, 2024. Reuters/Joey Malone (Reuters/Joey Malone)
And a contentious battle between one Squad member and his more liberal rival exposed deep divisions among Democrats War between Israel and Hamas In Gaza…
Bowman — who has been vocal about his support for Palestinians during the war in Gaza and has alleged that Israel has committed genocide — was the target of a nearly $14 million spending spree by the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, a pro-Israel group that backed Latimer.
WATCH: This House primary is the most expensive in congressional history
Progressive rock star Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders and Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez A New York lawyer backed Bowman and mingled with the besieged lawmaker at a rally in the Bronx on Saturday. The event was not a PG-rated spectacle, as Bowman repeatedly used profanity.
“We’re going to show AIPAC the power of the South Bronx!” Bowman said at the rally.which was held outside the boundaries of the congressional district.
Speaking to reporters Monday, Latimer called Bowman’s language “inappropriate.”
And Latimer emphasized that “all sorts of nasty things have been said to me during this campaign. I opened a weekly newspaper in this county and saw myself referred to as Massacre George. All sorts of accusations have been made against me.”
“I think a lot of the criticism that my opponent has heaped upon me is unfair and wrong,” Latimer argued, “but I don’t think I have the right to let my anger out. I don’t think I have the right to abuse people publicly and behave in a certain way.”
Westchester County Executive George Latimer, who is mounting a primary challenge to Democratic Rep. Jamaal Bowman in New York’s 16th Congressional District, speaks after being endorsed by local clergy leaders on June 24, 2024, in Mount Vernon, NY. (Fox News – Paul Steinhauser)
Although the Israel–Hamas war was the top issue in the primary election, it was not the only issue.
Bowman, who has drawn considerable attention during his four years in Congress for verbal wars with Republicans and pulling a fire alarm in a House office building during a vote on government funding last year, also faced criticism for voting against President Biden’s bipartisan infrastructure bill and raising the debt limit.
Though it is extremely difficult to defeat an incumbent — and no opponent had been able to do so so far this cycle — Latimer was well-known in the district.
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Latimer, a former state senator, was endorsed by local mayors and council members, several Westchester County legislators, as well as a former Secretary of State and former Senator. Hillary Clinton. The 2016 Democratic presidential candidate lives close to the district, in northern Westchester County.
He spoke to reporters Monday at an event where more than a half-dozen different clergy leaders from the congressional district endorsed him.
Ads on Latimer’s behalf were also a factor. According to Adimpact, a well-known national ad tracking firm, outside groups and the two campaigns have spent a record $25 million to run ads in the district, which is located in New York’s expensive media market.
Rep. Jamaal Bowman (D-NY) addresses the crowd while campaigning in the Bronx borough of New York City on June 22, 2024. Reuters/Joey Malone (Reuters/Joey Malone)
“This race has attracted national attention because it’s a race of the money versus the many, and we are the many, we are the people,” Bowman said, speaking at a campaign event Monday.
And he argued that “we cannot allow special interest billionaires to buy this congressional seat.”
Age and race also played a major role in the primary battle. Bowman, 48, is black and part of a new generation of rising stars in the Democratic Party. Latimer, 70, is white, and is a politician who touts his commitment to old-fashioned retail-style politics.
