Rep. Jamaal Bowman, a liberal Democrat from New York, faces a tough primary challenge on Tuesday from George Latimer, a moderate county executive. This race highlights divisions within the Democratic Party, especially over the Israel-Hamas conflict.
Bowman has been criticized for his stance on Israel, including accusing Israel of genocide in Gaza. This led Jewish leaders to urge Latimer to run against him. The American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) has spent nearly $15 million to oppose Bowman, flooding the race with ads attacking him.
Bowman sees this as an attempt by AIPAC to buy the election. He’s received support from progressive figures like Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Sen. Bernie Sanders. Meanwhile, Latimer has been endorsed by establishment figures like Hillary Clinton.
The winner of this primary is likely to win the general election, as the district is strongly Democratic.
Latimer, with 30 years in politics, emphasizes his local knowledge and relationships. He supports Israel and opposes negotiating with Hamas. Bowman, a former school principal, frames the race as a contest between big donors and average voters. He defends his call for a ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas conflict.
This race is seen as a test of where Democratic voters stand on Israel and highlights tensions between the party’s liberal and centrist wings.
In other New York primaries, Democrats on Long Island will choose between John Avlon and Nancy Goroff to challenge a Republican incumbent. Republican Rep. Claudia Tenney also faces a primary challenge in her conservative district.
These races are part of a generally stable primary season for incumbents, though some, like Bowman, face significant challenges that could reshape their party’s representation in Congress.