The latest Democratic primary saw Westchester County Executive George Latimer win over his opponent, New York Rep. Jamaal Bowman. Marked by CNN as the first time a member of the House “squad” of progressive lawmakers has been defeated, these results are history-making.
Jamaal Bowman was elected back in the 2020 primary, unseating Democratic Rep. Eliot Engel and becoming the first Black man elected to represent this New York district. Similar to the 2020 race, according to CNN, the 2024 race focused on accusing Bowman’s opponent of losing touch with the diversity and segregation of Bronx and Westchester counties.
Meanwhile, entering at the pressing of pro-Israel groups, George Latimer has been a Democratic political figure for decades. Taking a different route than his opponent, Latimer claimed that Bowman being against Israel’s war in Gaza, combined with his combative political style, was out of place with the deciding voters. Westchester’s large Jewish population, says CNN, was part of the reason for his position on the matter.
Bowman started digging his own grave back in mid-November. With the wound still raw from his ceasefire call after the events of October 7, the politician further angered pro-Israel voters when he told pro-Palestinian protestors that the reports of sexual violence by Hamas were “propaganda”. While CNN claims that Bowman later apologized, having acknowledged a United Nations report, the damage was already done.
The American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) came into the primary ready to fight, pledging to spend $100 million against candidates who, like Bowman, disapproved of the war on Gaza. Though they spent much less, this race was still the most expensive House primary recorded, statistics from AdImpact show. According to CNN, the PAC of the AIPAC, the United Democracy Project, spent roughly $15 million, the Democratic Majority for Israel invested slightly over $1 million, and Fairshake backed Latimer with over $2 million.
Comparing the two candidates, Bowman was, kind of, doomed from the start. CNN emphasized how his sometimes weird behavior, pulling a fire alarm in the Capitol, for instance, further damaged his reputation. Put that against Latimer, who promised restraint and is popular with figures including Hillary, and who might win isn’t much of a debate.
CNN believes Latimer will win the general election in the deep-blue district, meanwhile, former Scarsdale Mayor Miriam Flisser is the unopposed Republican nomination.
