Westchester County Executive George Latimer has officially filed federal paperwork to declare his candidacy for Congress, setting the stage for a challenging Democratic primary against “Squad” member Rep. Jamaal Bowman. Speculation has been growing for months that Latimer, a Democrat, would enter the race after Bowman’s comments on Israel were viewed by some voters in the heavily Jewish district as anti-Israel.
Bowman, who was first elected in 2020 as a progressive candidate, has faced criticism for his stance on Israel, including calling for a cease-fire during the conflict with Hamas and boycotting Israeli President Isaac Herzog’s speech to Congress. He also defended Rep. Pramila Jayapal when she faced backlash for stating that Israel is a “racist state.”
The controversy surrounding Bowman escalated further when an event aimed at addressing antisemitism turned into protesters demanding that the congressman represent the Jewish community in his district when making policy decisions. Additionally, Bowman faced backlash after pulling a fire alarm in the House of Representatives before a vote to avert a government shutdown.
Political observers and constituents have expressed their disappointment with Bowman, with some viewing his current situation as a low point in his career. On the other hand, Latimer, a well-established Democrat in the region, has garnered support from various groups and has a successful political track record.
While Bowman’s support among constituents appears to be waning due to his comments on Israel, he recently received an endorsement from the progressive Working Families Party. However, other groups, including the Anti-Racist Alliance, have urged Latimer not to challenge the incumbent congressman.
As the 2024 campaign trail heats up, Latimer’s entry into the race adds another layer of competition and potential change in the heavily watched Democratic primary.
