Bowman’s primary challenger picks up Hillary Clinton endorsement

Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton threw her support behind Westchester County Executive George Latimer as he seeks to unseat Rep. Jamaal Bowman (D-N.Y.) in a tense Democratic New York House primary.

“With Trump on the ballot, we need strong, principled Democrats in Congress more than ever,” Clinton wrote Wednesday on the social platform X. “In Congress, @LatimerforNY will protect abortion rights, stand up to the NRA, and fight for President Biden’s agenda—just like he’s always done. Make a plan to vote by June 25th!

The race in New York’s 16th Congressional District has heated up in recent weeks, with Democrats and other key groups split over Latimer and Bowman’s stances on the Israel-Hamas conflict in Gaza.

Latimer has repeatedly expressed pro-Israel views, in contrast to Bowman, who was among several progressives in the House to support a cease-fire resolution in the early days following Hamas’s Oct. 7 attack.

The Westchester County executive touted Clinton’s endorsement, saying it gives his campaign “major momentum” just days before New York begins its early voting period on Saturday. The primary election is June 25.

“It is such a deep honor to have the support of Secretary Clinton, who has an unmatched record of fighting for women’s rights, children’s health and safety, and a more peaceful and politically stable world,” Latimer wrote in a statement.

“Her voice gives even more momentum to our grassroots campaign, which keeps gaining strength because we stand strongly and honestly for our values and for our belief in delivering meaningful results for the communities we serve,” he added.

Latimer also has the backing of the pro-Israel American Israel Public Affairs Committee and former Rep. Mondaire Jones (D-N.Y.), who is running in New York’s 17th Congressional District.

The Congressional Progressive PAC rescinded its endorsement of Jones earlier this month as he faced backlash for supporting Latimer.

Meanwhile, a series of progressives has rallied support behind Bowman, including Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), who announced hours before Clinton’s post that he will campaign for the Democratic lawmaker at a Bronx rally on June 22.

“AIPAC, funded by right-wing billionaires, supports extremist Republican candidates. They will spend $100m against progressives this year, including $25m against @JamaalBowmanNY,” Sanders wrote Wednesday on X. “Democrats must unite against this Super PAC. I look forward to joining Jamaal & @AOC in New York.”

Latimer held a 17-point lead over Bowman in a new poll by Emerson College Polling/PIX11/The Hill released Tuesday.

Pollsters found 51 percent of likely Democratic primary voters in Bowman’s district have a favorable view of the incumbent, compared to 43 percent who have an unfavorable view of him. In comparison, 65 percent said they have a favorable view of Latimer, while 23 percent had an unfavorable view of the county executive.