Bowman Falls To Latimer In NY Primary

Rep. Jamaal Bowman of New York, one of Congress’s most outspoken progressives, suffered a stinging primary defeat.

A super PAC affiliated with the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) invested $15 million in defeating Bowman, more than any outside group has ever spent on a House race. I Photo: Congressman Jamaal Bowman Facebook

According to the Associated Press (AP), Bowman was unable to overcome a record-shattering campaign from moneyed pro-Israel groups and a series of self-inflicted blunders, as reported by Nicholas Fandos for the New York Times.

Bowman, 48, was defeated by George Latimer, 70, the Westchester County executive, in what became the year's ugliest intraparty brawl and the most expensive House primary in history.

The race began last fall when Bowman emerged as a leading critic of Israel's actions against Hamas.

A super PAC affiliated with the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) invested $15 million in defeating him, more than any outside group has ever spent on a House race.

AIPAC gave Latimer $2 million, while its super PAC, United Democracy Project, spent seven times more than Bowman’s allies combined.

Bowman alienated others with his far-left views and a string of embarrassing gaffes, most notably the decision to pull a false fire alarm in a House office building last fall.

With 82% of the votes counted, Latimer was winning 60% to 40%.

Given the district’s overwhelming Democratic makeup, Latimer is expected to easily win the general election. At 70, he would be among the oldest House freshmen and is expected to provide a reliable vote for party leaders.