Rep. Jamaal Bowman (D-N.Y.) is locked in a blistering and expensive fight to hold onto his congressional seat, in a race that could lend some insight into what’s ahead for the Democratic Party as it heads into the November elections.
Bowman, 48, faces Westchester County Executive George Latimer, 70, in the Tuesday Democratic primary.
As the party looks to recapture the House, this district is not vulnerable to the GOP.
The brutal fight for the Westchester-Bronx seat has become the most expensive House battle ever, with more than $23 million spent on advertising alone. It’s also one of the ugliest fights of the primary season, as the ongoing war in Gaza plays a central role.
Bowman, a member of the House’s ultra-progressive “squad,” is backed by leftist Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and other progressives.
Latimer has the backing of former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and other centrist Democrats.
Israel has become the biggest issue between the candidates, as the race is expected to be one of 2024’s biggest litmus tests on the topic of Israel.
Democrats across the country have splintered over deeper views about Israel, amid the ongoing war in Gaza that has left thousands of Palestinians dead. The war followed Hamas’ deadly attack on Israeli civilians on Oct. 7. An unknown number of Israeli hostages remain captive in Gaza.
The pro-Israel American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC), has poured millions into Latimer’s campaign to unseat Bowman. Latimer, a longtime political figure in the area, entered the race with the backing of Jewish leaders in the district, in part because of Bowman’s rhetoric on Israel.
Bowman went on a heated tirade against AIPAC and its influence during a campaign rally over the weekend.
“We are going to show f—ing AIPAC the motherf—ing power of the South Bronx,” the former high school principal screamed from the stage. “We are not going to stand silent while U.S. tax dollars kills babies and women and children. My opponent supports genocide. My opponent and AIPAC are the ones destroying our democracy.”
An Emerson College Polling/PIX11/The Hill poll this month found Bowman trailing Latimer by double digits at 48 percent support to 31 percent, with 21 percent of respondents undecided.
