Rep. Eliot Engel loses Democratic primary to progressive Jamaal Bowman

Jamaal Bowman has defeated veteran Rep. Eliot Engel, unseating the powerful chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee in a stunning upset, according to the Associated Press.

Bowman, a progressive former middle school principal backed by the Justice Democrats, triumphed over Engel, a 16-term congressman, more than three weeks after the New York Democratic primary took place on June 23.

The AP called the race on Friday morning.

Engel, 73, had been besieged by gaffes and accusations he was missing from his Bronx-Westchester district as the coronavirus pandemic raged.

Bowman declared victory the day after the primary but Engel’s campaign was counting on a record number of mail-in ballots cast amid the pandemic to help him overcome his challenger’s commanding lead.

But Bowman’s lead expanded during the weeks-long counting of absentee ballots in New York’s 16th Congressional District and by Friday the contest was over with the progressive candidate 16-points ahead.

In a statement, Bowman promised to “cause problems” in Washington, a sign that the outspoken left flank of the Democratic Party, headed by Bronx Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, is growing.

“I’m a black man who was raised by a single mother in a housing project. That story doesn’t usually end in Congress. But today, that 11-year old boy who was beaten by police is about to be your next Representative,” Bowman said in a statement.

“The world has changed. Congress needs to change too. But if we can take on entrenched power and wealthy interests here in Westchester and the Bronx, then we can do it all across this country,” he continued.

“I’m ready to get to work. I cannot wait to get to Washington and cause problems for the people maintaining the status quo.”

In a concession statement, Engel wished Bowman luck and said he had been honored to serve the district that he grew up in.

“Serving the people of the Bronx and Westchester in Congress has been the greatest privilege of my life, and what a remarkable 32 years it has been. We have made so much progress together, and faced so many challenges,” he said.

“Throughout those years, I have always worked as hard as humanly possible to represent my constituents as a progressive Democrat in Washington and as an involved, informed and present public servant in New York,” he continued.

“I take particular pride in always showing up, always being present, always listening, and always caring deeply about those whom it’s been an honor to serve as their Congressman.”

Bowman’s upstart victory is reminiscent of Ocasio-Cortez’s unexpected toppling of powerful incumbent Joe Crowley in 2018 in the neighboring Bronx district.

It also shows the congresswoman’s rising influence in the party, with Bowman one of three progressive AOC-backed candidates in the New York primary who ultimately won.

Mondaire Jones, an openly-gay African American attorney, was also declared the victor in New York’s 17th Congressional District after a landslide win and is almost assured to be headed to Congress.

Assemblyman Felix Ortiz, an entrenched Democrat first elected in 1994, also conceded the Democratic Primary race last month to AOC-endorsed challenger Marcela Mitaynes.

However, one congressional source on Friday offered a wary assessment of Ocasio-Cortez and her “Squad” of upstart lawmakers, and said the reports of her rising stock in the Democratic Party were untrue.

“People keep writing positive articles about her because it gets clicks. But what’s the reality? What has she delivered? So much has been written about the Green New Deal… did it ever become law?” he said.

“She is good at tweeting, not legislating,” he added, offering a view shared by other Democrats in Congress who have described Ocasio-Cortez to the Post as an activist, not a lawmaker.

The source said Jones and Mondaire were strong candidates who would have won regardless of the firebrand congresswoman’s backing.

“Her candidates have gotten crushed from Ohio to Texas. Bowman and Jones are excellent candidates who would have won without her endorsement.”

One other Democratic insider agreed that Jones and Mondaire represented an uprising from voters who were sick of old, white guys in Washington, not that Ocasio-Cortez was building a political machine.

“It doesn’t show AOC’s power — it shows that New York voters want demographic changes in the House,” he said.

“They don’t want old white guys who don’t do anything. Not only old white guys; but old white guys who only work when they’re up for reelection.”

“People are punishing these kinds of lawmakers. If you’re old, white and lazy, you’re going to get kicked out.”