George Latimer has defeated Rep. Jamaal Bowman (D-N.Y.) in the Democratic primary for New York’s 16th Congressional District, as projected by Decision Desk HQ. This outcome marks a significant setback for progressives in what has been the party’s most contentious primary of the cycle.
Latimer, the Westchester County executive, emerged victorious in a heated contest that became a proxy battle between the Democratic Party’s ideological factions.
A key issue dividing the candidates was their respective positions on Israel amid its ongoing conflict with Hamas.
The race attracted millions of dollars in funding from both within and outside the district, making it the most expensive House primary in history.
Prominent figures from both wings of the party weighed in: former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Rep. Josh Gottheimer (D-N.J.) endorsed the moderate Latimer, while Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) supported Bowman.
Bowman, a member of the “Squad” of progressive House Democrats, won his seat in 2020 by unseating moderate incumbent Rep. Eliot Engel (D).
His race against Latimer highlighted the divisions within the Democratic Party, especially pronounced following Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack on Israel, which resulted in approximately 1,200 deaths.
The conflict has since intensified, with the Gaza death toll surpassing 35,000, according to the Hamas-run Palestinian health ministry.
Latimer focused much of his campaign on Bowman’s remarks and voting record regarding the conflict.
He criticized Bowman for advocating a permanent cease-fire between Israel and Hamas and for opposing additional arms shipments to Israel.
Latimer also condemned Bowman’s comments in November, where Bowman referred to reports of Hamas committing s*xual violence on Oct. 7 as “lies” and “propaganda.”
Bowman later retracted those statements and apologized after the United Nations provided further evidence.
Latimer’s supporters used Bowman’s controversial comments in campaign mailers to sway voters.
The primary also reflected the broader divide within the Democratic Party over the war, with some voters opting for an “uncommitted” choice in the presidential primaries as a protest against President Biden’s handling of the conflict.
The campaign between Latimer and Bowman was intense, particularly during their debates. Latimer accused Bowman of undermining Israel’s right to self-defense and ignoring certain constituents.
Bowman, in turn, accused Latimer of using a “racist dog whistle” by suggesting Bowman’s constituency was Dearborn, Mich., a predominantly Arab American area represented by Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.), another Squad member and vocal critic of Israel. Both candidates rejected these allegations.
The 16th District is heavily Jewish but also includes Arab American residents.
Pre-primary polling indicated Bowman’s vulnerability, with Latimer leading by 17 points in an early poll this month.
Bowman’s defeat makes him the first incumbent House Democrat to lose a primary challenge this election cycle.
Given the district’s solidly blue status, Latimer is almost certain to win the House seat in November.
Stay tuned to Conservative Core Media.
