representative Jamal BowmanDN.Y., became the first member of the progressive group of House lawmakers known as “the squad” to lose a primary challenge in the 2024 cycle Tuesday night, after suffering a bruising defeat to a candidate more moderate Democrat in his Bronx. -area neighborhood.
Bowman, 48, lost to Westchester County Executive Georges Latimer70 years old, in a large-scale competition Much of this depended on the two Democratic candidates’ opposing views on the war between Israel and Hamas.
A second-term representative and former public middle school principal, Bowman was a vocal critic of Israel’s handling of the war and the Biden administration’s continued support for aid to the country. He accused Israeli officials of committing genocide and was an early supporter of a ceasefire during the war.
THE US-Israeli Public Affairs Committeea pro-Israel lobbying group that supports Republican and Democratic candidates, spent millions against Bowman in the race, including giving more than $1.5 million in donations to Latimer’s campaign.
At a rally days before the election, Bowman suggested his supporters would show AIPAC “the power” of the South Bronx. His district spans primarily the North Bronx, Yonkers and parts of Westchester County.
Throughout the primary race, Latimer and other Bowman critics have also criticized the progressive Democrat for a series of controversial comments and incidents, including a moment on Capitol Hill last year when he triggered a fire alarm in a House office building, prompting an emergency evacuation.
Bowman said at the time that he did so because he “didn’t want to miss votes to keep the government funded.” The Congressman pleaded guilty for a misdemeanor, paid a $1,000 fine and served three months of probation, while the House censured the New York lawmaker.
The future of the team‘
Bowman’s defeat marks a loss for the team, the handful of progressive lawmakers who first rose to prominence under former President Donald Trump. In April, Rep. Summer Lee, D-Pa., withstood a challenge in her Pittsburgh district from a moderate candidate who criticized her opposition to providing additional U.S. military aid to Israel.
AIPAC contributed to efforts against Lee in the 2022 midterm elections, but stayed out of his race this year. And unlike Bowman, Lee has received support from prominent establishment Democrats, including Sen. John Fetterman, D-Pennsylvania, one of the most pro-Israel Democrats in Congress, and President Joe Biden. Rep. Rashida Tlaib, Democrat of Michigan, also defeated primary opponents in the spring who had expressed greater support for Israel.
But at least one other member of this tight-knit group faces a tough race this year in which AIPAC donations could play a role.
Progressive Rep. Cori Bush, Democrat of Missouri, will face St. Louis County District Attorney Wesley Bell in an Aug. 6 primary. donated more than $630,000 in the Bell campaign. THE limited survey available in the race showed Bell with a 20-point lead over Bush heading into the Missouri election.
This article was originally published on USA TODAY: Jamaal Bowman’s primary defeat marks ‘team’ first defeat in 2024
