Jamaal Bowman began his public service career as a middle school principal. Then, Bowman — a New York Democrat — won a primary election during the feverish summer of 2020.
Then last year, Bowman became a single-issue candidate, focused entirely on denying Hamas’ use of rape as a weapon of war.
“There’s still no evidence of beheaded babies or raped women. But they still keep using that lie,” Bowman said at a rally in November, according to Politico.
Now, mere days ahead of the primary election, Bowman is walking back his anti-Israel slogans… but he’s too late.
“I apologize for my comments and now we’re continuing to do the work to fight sexual violence and domestic violence in all its forms,” Bowman told a caller on a radio show, according to a Thursday report by Politico. “Immediately when the UN provided additional evidence, I voted to condemn the sexual violence.”
Bowman took more than nine months to apologize, but he’d already been distancing himself from his Hamas denialism since around March.
“The UN confirmed that Hamas committed rape and sexual violence, a reprehensible fact that I condemn entirely. I also voted yes on Resolution 966, which officially condemns the rape and sexual violence committed by Hamas,” Bowman told Politico in a March state.
“So let me be clear, and ensure my words are not twisted: I always stand against sexual violence in all forms and stand for peace for all.”
On Tuesday, Bowman will face a primary challenger, Westchester County Executive George Latimer. The two candidates are running in the most expensive primary ever. Pro-Israel groups (and anti-Israel) are pouring money into their preferred candidates, and Bowman is causing the attack ads to write themselves.
The two candidates are attracting not only money, but also attention.
Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, a New York resident, has endorsed Latimer. Clinton lives in Chappaqua, a Westchester County village represented by GOP Rep. Mike Lawler.
Bowman has become so radioactive that even Clinton is meddling in a different district’s primary instead of just trying to unseat the Republican in her home district.
It’s showing. A poll from Emerson College found Bowman losing the primary by 17 points, a landslide. Where would he be if he hadn’t become a single-issue candidate?
Take a look at one of the attack ads —
AIPAC digital ad in #NY16, using Bowman’s remarks calling reports of Hamas rape on Oct. 7 propaganda’:
“Jamaal Bowman tried to erase from history what happened on Oct. 7.” pic.twitter.com/cLD8Wuoegh
— Jacob N. Kornbluh (@jacobkornbluh) May 22, 2024