Progressive Democrats rally behind embattled New York Congressman Jamaal Bowman in heated party primary contest
In the fiercely competitive political landscape of New York, the 16th Congressional District, encompassing portions of the Bronx and suburban Westchester, is witnessing an intense primary battle that could potentialy widen the schism within liberal politics, not just locally, but nationwide. The confrontation between Bowman and George Latimer, the latter incited by pro-Israel leaders to join the race in December, has been anticipated to highlight the internal disagreements within the Democratic Party concerning Israel's conflicts in Gaza. However, the ensuing debate has evolved into something far uglier, stirring up long-suppressed debates about race, class, and the very essence of the Democratic Party.
With Bowman now viewed as the most vulnerable Democrat in this primary season, his defense has become more than a political necessity. The substantial financial support from pro-Israel lobbies like AIPAC and Democratic Majority for Israel, aimed at boosting Latimer, has contributed to a sense of impending doom around the race. If Bowman were to lose, his supporters fear, it would set a chilling precedent, causing every Congress member to look over their shoulder, questioning if they might face similar monetary attacks.
Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders expressed these apprehensions at a rally for Bowman, questioning whether the wealthy elite would pour millions into opposing him, as they did with Bowman in the Bronx.
Bowman, advocating for the working class and the preservation of democracy, has labeled Latimer as apawn of big money and political oligarchy. He accused Latimer of being in the pocket of these influential donors.
On the other hand, Latimer is self-assured that voters within the district, many of whom have previously supported him, are viewing the situation differently. Despite AIPAC's significant investment in the race, Latimer has refrained from delving deeply into discussions about Gaza or Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, whom Bowman has disparaged as a "maniac" and an obstacle to peace.
Latimer maintains that he supports Israel's right to exist and advocates for diplomatic negotiations for the future. However, he acknowledges Hamas' poor conduct, particularly their October 7 terrorist attack, which resulted in over 1,200 casualties in Israel.
Bowman has condemned the attack but has been criticized for his initial response, where he described reports of sexual violence by Hamas as "propaganda." He has also been pressured to explain his past blog posts discussing 9/11 conspiracy theories and the infamous House fire alarm incident.
Despite both candidates asserting that local issues like affordable housing and climate change will determinant the election's outcome, Israel and Gaza remain pertinent topics. The initial 10 minutes of a recent debate were dedicated solely to the conflict, with the moderators prompting the conversation. Conspicuously, AIPAC has remained silent on these matters, instead focusing on the allegation that Bowman has been insufficiently loyal to Biden.
When Bowman challenged 16-term incumbent Eliot Engel in 2020, he was an unproven candidate backed by progressive heavyweights like Ocasio-Cortez, Sanders, and Warren, while the liberal establishment, including Chuck Schumer, Nancy Pelosi, and Hillary Clinton, supported Engel. Despite the significant funding from outside groups, totaling over $3.4 million for Bowman's campaign, the candidates received roughly equal financial support, each benefiting from approximately $1.7 million in PAC funds.
Winning by nearly 15 points in the primary, Bowman's victory represented a significant triumph for progressives still recovering from Sanders' Covid-disrupted presidential campaign loss to Joe Biden. Bowman, who is the first Black man to represent the district, appeals to progressives with his uncompromising progressive stance, his lack of political jargon, and his focus on grassroots issues. The district, though majority non-White, features racial and class segregation, a growing Arab American presence, and a sizeable and politically engaged Jewish population.
With the 2024 primary for the same seat drawing near, the spending on the race has skyrocketed. Outside funding for the race has surged more than five times. The financial balance, too, has been obliterated: Pro-Latimer groups, led by the AIPAC-affiliated United Democracy Project and a cryptocurrency PAC, have spent close to $18 million on ads, while progressive Bowman supporters, such as Justice Democrats and the Working Families Party, are poised to only muster about $2.2 million.
Ana Maria Archila, New York Working Families co-director, said to Bowman supporters at the Gil Scott-Heron Amphitheater in the Bronx’s St. Mary’s Park on Saturday, "They're trying to bury us under their money." Local labor activists and progressive leaders then introduced Bowman, Ocasio-Cortez, and Sanders.
Ocasio-Cortez was brimming with energy as she mounted the stage and grabbed the mic.
"Powerful people – and these are powerful people – they don’t give a damn about us," Ocasio-Cortez declared. "These Wall Street people don’t give a damn about us. AIPAC doesn’t give a damn about us. AIPAC doesn’t give a damn about the Bronx. They don’t give a damn about Westchester."
She also tied the election here to Donald Trump’s fortunes in November.
"It’s also not lost on us that the historic amounts of money being spent to defeat [Bowman] are linked back to billionaires and Republicans who prop up Donald Trump and all of his cronies," Ocasio-Cortez said. "We see the corruption. It is clear as day, but we know better."
Patrick Dorton, a spokesperson for United Democracy Project, the AIPAC-affiliated super PAC, dismissed much of the criticism from the left, saying the group had good – and obvious – reasons to back Latimer.
"Bowman has an atrocious anti-Israel record, and is completely out of step with President Biden on that and a host of other issues," Dorton said. "He’s a fringe politician, not a fit for the district or the Democratic Party."
Progressives worry about a chilling effect from a potential Bowman loss
The intensive air support for Latimer, most of it directed against the "Squad"-aligned Bowman, has brought a feverish intensity to the final days of the campaign.
It comes after the left suffered setbacks in New York this year before the campaigns began in earnest. Rep. Ritchie Torres, who embraced the progressive label in 2020, fell out with the movement over his fierce support for Israel’s offensive in Gaza. Former Rep. Mondaire Jones, frustrated that progressives did not rally around him after a redistricting shuffle in 2022, has also sought to distance himself from his lefty connections as he campaigns for a return to Congress in the neighboring 17 District.
Jones is now backing Latimer, and Torres hinted at plans to do the same. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, also a New Yorker, endorsed Bowman – on paper. Often a vocal critic of primary challengers, Jeffries has offered, at most, muted support.
AIPAC’s barrage has infuriated Bowman supporters, led by Sanders and Ocasio-Cortez, who view the primary as a pivotal historical moment.
"This election is one of the most significant in the modern history of America. It really is," Sanders said in the Bronx. "Because this election is not about Jamaal vs. Mr. Latimer. This election is about whether or not the billionaire class and the oligarchs will control the United States government."
Like other Latimer allies, AIPAC spokesperson Marshall Wittmann, whose organization is said to be working with $100 million across the board in 2024, argued the group’s involvement in the Bronx and Westchester was less portentous – and focused narrowly on Bowman’s record.
"This race offers an unambiguous choice between a candidate who consistently stands with Israel and his opponent, who is aligned with the extremist, anti-Israel fringe," Wittmann said. "The pro-Israel community is deeply engaged in supporting candidates who stand with America’s ally, Israel, and opposing extremist detractors."
clearly aggravated, Bowman reserved his harshest message for AIPAC and other outside groups spending big to sink his political career.
"We’re going to show AIPAC the might of the South Bronx," Bowman declared to laughter and applause before adopting a defensive stance.
"People wonder why I have a dirty mouth," he added, accusing his opponents of attacking his family. "What am I supposed to do?"
Here's the paraphrased text:
During a debate in June, Latimer, a congressional candidate, was called out for ignoring a district predominantly populated by Black and brown people, Jamaal, by Latimer's opponent. This oversight was a point of contention, with the district claiming they had been overlooked by Latimer.
Prior to this, during an interview on May 9, Latimer expressed doubts about the results of Bowman's 2020 primary win, suggesting that the high vote totals were inflated due to an influx of absentee ballots during the pandemic. He also attributed some of Bowman's success to the anger and concerns generated in the Black community following the death of George Floyd, which took place a month before the election. Interestingly, Jones, who is supporting Latimer, had previously criticized this narrative.
Latimer has faced criticism for telling Bowman, during another debate, that his constituency is Dearborn, Michigan, and San Francisco, California. His campaign clarified that he was referring to Bowman's donors, not implying any disrespect to Dearborn's majority Arab American population.
Most recently, Latimer claimed that Bowman is politically weak everywhere, with a few exceptions. He further stated that Bowman's support base is limited to certain constituencies, causing frustration among Bowman's supporters who believe this critique disrespects and alienates Bowman, representing the diverse, working-class voters Democrats should be aiming to win over before the presidential election.
Some of Bowman's allies are worried that a defeat for the congressman could negatively impact Biden, who is already facing difficulties with young, progressive voters, according to polls.
Justice Democrats spokesperson Usamah Andrabi criticized campaigns like Latimer's, claiming they reduce voter turnout and dissuade people from engaging in electoral politics. Andrabi stressed the importance of activating the Democrats' critical base – young people, Black and brown people, and progressives – for the November election.
To achieve this, Andrabi emphasized the need for leaders like Jamaal Bowman to mobilize these groups and expand the electorate.
Despite her critique of the administration, Ocasio-Cortez has worked to support Biden, even appearing as a surrogate in Nevada. However, she was forthright during a speech in the Bronx, warning Bowman's rivals that the progressive movement is here to stay, emphasizing that they will not be pushed away or silenced.
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In response to the criticism from Bowman's camp, George Latimer defended his comments, stating that he was merely referring to the sources of Bowman's financial support. However, this explanation further fueled the perception that Latimer was trying to discredit Bowman's connection with his constituency.
Recognizing the potential impact of a Bowman loss on the Democratic Party and its relationship with progressive voters, Justice Democrats and other progressive organizations have increased their financial support for Bowman's campaign, aiming to counteract the significant funding from pro-Israel lobbies like AIPAC and Democratic Majority for Israel backing Latimer.
