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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsNY-16: It's Not Just AIPAC: How Jamaal Bowman Alienated Voters Who Once Supported Him
If the polling is accurate, Rep. Jamaal Bowman is the heavy underdog in Tuesdays Democratic primary for New Yorks 16th Congressional District.
The topline story of the race is, understandably, pro-Israel groups record-breaking spending against Bowman, a passionate pro-Palestinian advocate who has dubbed Israels invasion of Gaza a genocide. Super PACs backing Bowmans challenger, Westchester County Executive George Latimer, have outspent pro-Bowman super PACs on the airwaves by a 9-to-1 margin, helping make it the most expensive House primary in history. The independent spending arm of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee alone has spent $14.6 million on television, digital and direct-mail advertisements.
They are so afraid of us those who oppose the working class, multiracial, multieconomic, multicultural democracy that we are trying to build, Bowman told volunteers getting ready to canvas the Bronxs Co-Op City neighborhood on May 26. Theyre spending more money in this race than they have ever spent in the history of any race. Thats how afraid AIPAC is.
It is impossible to predict the results of a counterfactual scenario where Bowman did not face this kind of spending. But while he would have undoubtedly fared better if he were not up against an avalanche of super PAC money, his problems predate the lopsided advertising blitz.
https://www.huffpost.com/entry/jamaal-bowman-not-just-aipac-money_n_6677291fe4b0fdfa60647614

aeromanKC
(3,540 posts)This race stinks. Gonna have to hold my nose on this one it seems. AND if the Biden wins, there will be a 2026 to try again. So there is that. Bowman 2026!!
lapucelle
(19,700 posts)aeromanKC
(3,540 posts)I've always been pro Manchin though due to possession of the gavel. Not that it matters.
lapucelle
(19,700 posts)I'll be working to flip NY-04 back to blue.
Polybius
(19,110 posts)He will have to get a job somewhere else.
lapucelle
(19,700 posts)Bowman kept referencing the "South Bronx" during his rally on Saturday. It's not even in his district.
Nixie
(17,518 posts)he seems unhinged. I would not want that demeanor as my rep.
Latimer looks much better suited to actually serve constituents instead of stoking hate and violence against other New York residents like Bowman was doing.
Here's an Endorsement from the Yonkers Times For George Latimer...
DEMOCRATS HAVE HAD ENOUGH OF BOWMAN, EMBRACE LATIMER
https://yonkerstimes.com/democrats-have-had-enough-of-bowman-embrace-latimer/
Nixie
(17,518 posts)It's particularly pathetic that it points out that Bowman's votes align with Marjorie Taylor Green. How ridiculous is that for Bowman's constituents to put up with.
Enough of his empty showboating. Time for Latimer to contribute to our party and cut the ego trippers loose.
Thanks for the link, Cha. 👍
Cha
(306,979 posts)appreciate it, Nixie.. I really did.
Itt's like the Editorial Board of the Yonkers Times has been paying close attention George Latimer and Jamal Bowman!
You're Welcome!
Demsrule86
(71,038 posts)And not condemning Hamas for the attack. Also, I had no idea that his record mirrored MTG...good lord thanks for the link.
Cha
(306,979 posts)



FBaggins
(27,970 posts)Not a great sign for the weekend if the primary
But Im sure hell be back tomorrow
probably pulling fire alarms in Jewish neighborhoods
Deminpenn
(16,477 posts)Summer Lee in her primary two years ago, running a "Democrat" Steve Irwin against her. They failed.
Cha
(306,979 posts)is the Best Candidate for NY 16.
He got a Great review from the Yonkers Times... Bowman not so much.
Deminpenn
(16,477 posts)(https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Irwin_(attorney) ) yet he still lost.
AIPAC and its GOP allies supported him because he'd be a solid supporter of AIPACs foreign policy agenda of unwavering support for Isreal and the GOP chipped in because Summer Lee is opposed to the GOP's agenda of tax cuts for the rich and all that goes along with that.
Latimer is as establishment as it gets, seems to have no real accomplishments to his name and is 71 years old! No wonder he's picked up the endorsements of the establishment Dems.
Cha
(306,979 posts)in District 16.. he has wonderful Endorsements.. and like I said from the Yonkers Times in Bowman's hometown where he had his Kickoff.
DEMOCRATS HAVE HAD ENOUGH OF BOWMAN, EMBRACE LATIMER
https://yonkerstimes.com/democrats-have-had-enough-of-bowman-embrace-latimer/
lapucelle
(19,700 posts)Latimer managed to flip the county executive office blue in 2018 and has delivered real results for real people in his county. ever since.
He knows his county, he knows the district, and he has real accomplishments as county executive.
It's hard to say the same for Jamaal Bowman, who inexplicably shouted stuff about the power of the South Bronx at his campaign rally on Saturday, even though he the rally was in Mott Haven (not part of the South Bronx and not part of Bowman's district) and even though the South Bronx is NY-15, Ritchie Torres's district.
------------------------------------------------------------
Latimer touted the creation of 6,000 new units of affordable housing, the expansion of the Child Care Scholarship, $20M for electric vehicle charging infrastructure, $1M for the Black Maternal Child Health Initiative, $1.5M for tobacco prevention and cessation program, and the seasonal suspension of the Bee-Line Bus fares.
On the environment, Latimer applauded the Board of Legislators for passing the single use food ware law as well as the Lead Free Parks Act, the Addressing Asthma in Communities of Color Amendment, the Renewable Energy Database Act and the Equity in Environmental Legislation Act. Latimer pointed out that the County has made a substantial investment of $20 million to expand electric vehicle charging infrastructure at County parking facilities, adding that These efforts underscore our commitment to sustainability and community well-being.
Latimer affirmed his commitment to support the uninsured and underinsured residents of Westchester, bolstering our Federally Qualified Health Centers with $3 million in funding while also setting aside more than $1 million for the Countys Black Maternal Child Health Initiative, and $1.5-million-dollars to promote tobacco prevention and cessation programs.
https://yonkerstimes.com/latimer-touts-achievements-for-all-families-in-7th-annual-state-of-the-county-address-with-protests-against-congressional-run-outside/

Demsrule86
(71,038 posts)establishment used in this manner which is a smear in regards to an upstanding Democrat- George Latimer. I am progressive and I would not vote for Bowman in a primary because he didn't support a number of Democratic victories...including but not limited to infrastructure. NO Democrat should have a similar voting record to Margorie Tayler Green.
Tarheel_Dem
(31,443 posts)
Happy Hoosier
(8,727 posts)And the "Squad" types wonder why they are not convincing much of the party to support them. They don't like most of the party.
Tarheel_Dem
(31,443 posts)
Demsrule86
(71,038 posts)
betsuni
(27,438 posts)brooklynite
(96,882 posts)(Hint: hes the elected Democratic County executive).
RandySF
(71,760 posts)Nixie
(17,518 posts)Indeed they do.
Scrivener7
(53,872 posts)any favors.
Historic NY
(38,414 posts)PS Maloney was my congressman and was effective.
Cha
(306,979 posts)your Congresman, HNY.
What's he doing now.. is he out of politics?
TY.. I tried to read all that.. it's so complicate, though.
Celerity
(47,826 posts)When Jones was asked a year ago whether he would endorse Bowman, he gave an evasive answer. As Jamaal Bowman has shown time and time again, he does not need my endorsement to defeat his primary opponents, Jones wrote in a text message at the time. The suggestion that he does is offensive.
On Tuesday, Jones took his strongest step yet to distance himself from Bowman, endorsing Latimer and harshly criticizing Bowman, who has been an outspoken critic of Israels war in Gaza, for sowing pain and anxiety among Jewish New Yorkers. Aligning himself closely with Latimer, who has received more than $10 million from the American Israel Public Affairs Committees super PAC, may give Jones a boost in NY-17.
While there are still plenty of pictures of him and Bowman on the campaign trail together, Jones has now officially renounced any perceived allyship to the Squad which has infuriated his erstwhile progressive allies. The Congressional Progressive Caucus PAC, which had endorsed both Bowman and Jones, rescinded its endorsement of the latter. The state WFP, which has endorsed both Bowman and Jones, announced that it would pull all support from Jones campaign.
brooklynite
(96,882 posts)Its essentially the financial equivalent of thee G20.
Celerity
(47,826 posts)in order to answer Cha's question (post 14) about SPM's current activity
https://www.cityandstateny.com/politics/2024/06/exclusive-sean-patrick-maloney-offered-withdraw-ny-17-primary-mondaire-jones-turned-him-down/397195/
lapucelle
(19,700 posts)As for the WFP, given the number of votes they need to keep their ballot line in NY, withdrawing the endorsement seems pretty short-sighted.
Nixie
(17,518 posts)shows. He is a great asset to our party.
That redistricting put him in a bedroom community of police and firefighters who didn't like the Defund the Police that Maloney had nothing to do with, but it was enough to defeat him. I'm not in New York, but that's what I read about his race results. Sounds like he's doing well now, though.
lapucelle
(19,700 posts)endorsed that policy. And this cycle, I'm sure that there will be ads tying Democrats to the anti-Semitic activity on NYC campuses and the pro-Hamas lunacy happening at the NYC marches.
Nixie
(17,518 posts)Two seats are a huge loss for something that is such an obvious political loser like Defund the Police. Who couldn't see how that would be used against all Democrats. Just another completely unnecessary gift for the GOP.
I think you're right about the campus "protests," too.
lapucelle
(19,700 posts)then things aren't looking good.
Even though Bernie Sanders and AOC were headlining the well-publicized rally, attendance was sparse.
AOC takes the stage:
LetMyPeopleVote
(157,865 posts)LetMyPeopleVote
(157,865 posts)Cha
(306,979 posts)
electric_blue68
(19,866 posts)Nixie
(17,518 posts)Marjorie Taylor Greene, one of the GOP's dumbest freaks. His votes are inexcusable.
Thanks for posting this, LMPV!
betsuni
(27,438 posts)So Latimer is the winner when it comes to grassroots support.