‘Squad’ member Jamaal Bowman – an outspoken critic of Israel accused of trying to disrupt the vote by pulling the fire alarm – could see his re-election bid go up in flames.
Bowman (D-NY) has withdrawn a primary challenge from Westchester County Executive George Latimer, per a filing with the Federal Election Commission on Monday.
Latimer has long fueled buzz that he will run for Bowman’s seat in New York’s 16th Congressional District amid the incumbent’s left-wing position and fire disaster.
“I was asked to do it by my significant other and my friend. They have expressed their displeasure with the incumbent on many different issues. Israel is obviously very high on that list,” Latimer previously told The Post.
“I am a strong supporter of Israel.”
George Latimer files papers to challenge Jamaal Bowman. Pacific Press/LightRocket via Getty Images
The Westchester County executive has lampooned Bowman in the past and defended himself as the “most progressive” county official in New York.
Although Bowman has condemned Hamas’s bloody October 7 surprise attack on Israel, he has also been one of the earliest advocates of a ceasefire in Congress.
Before the filing, Latimer embarked on a trip to Israel where he gathered with top officials in key US allies. He has teased that he plans to draw sharp contrasts with Bowman on the war that has engulfed Israel during the campaign.
Jamaal Bowman embraces Rashida Tlaib as two advocates on behalf of the Palestinians in the Gaza Strip. AP
The primary contest marks one of the most high-profile battles between Democrats for a congressional seat in the Empire State, especially now that Liz Whitmer Gereghty is out of the 17th Congressional District.
It could also be a key gauge for Democrats on the topic of Israel, which has caused deep rifts in the progressive movement.
Bowman pulled the fire alarm in Cannon’s House office in late September before a last-minute vote to avoid a government shutdown.
Progressive representative. quickly gained a reputation as one of the most outspoken members of Congress. ZUMAPRESS.com
At first, the iconoclastic representative chalked up the ordeal to an accident amid a mad dash for votes to keep the government lights on.
At the time, Democrats were scrambling to peel through the stopgap proposal from Republicans, eager to flag any poison pill. Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) took advantage of his magic minute to buy time.
Before Bowman, a former principal at a high school where students would be suspended for such cheating, pulled the alarm, he lowered the emergency sign, subsequent footage showed.
The primary battle over New York’s 16th Congressional District comes amid a heated challenge against members of the so-called ‘Squad.’ Getty Images for Daybase
In October, the 47-year-old Bronx and Westchester Democrat admitted in his guilty plea that he “willfully and knowingly” gave a “false alarm of fire,” which violates District of Columbia law.
He also agreed to write a letter of apology to the Capitol Police chief, in exchange for having the charges against him dismissed within three months if he did not reoffend.
The Post reached out to the Bowman campaign for comment.
Latimer’s upcoming main challenge against Bowman is one of several major battles against members of “The Squad” in 2024.
Other members such as Reps. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.), Cori Bush (D-Mo.), and more all face stiff challenges from their own parties.
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Source: thtrangdai.edu.vn/en/
