First Squad member Jamaal Bowman ousted from Congress despite AOC's last-ditch effort to save him
Democratic Rep. Jamaal Bowman has become the first member of The Squad to be ousted from Congress after a crushing defeat in his New York primary.
Support from fellow progressive Alexandra Ocasio-Cortez (AOC) couldn't save the fire-alarm-pulling Bowman as his opponent George Latimer, 70, secured a convincing victory on Tuesday night.
Their Bronx rally at the weekend that was mocked for their WWE-style entrances and foul-mouthed speeches full of f-bombs seemed to be the final nail in the coffin for Bowman's bid for a third term.
The contest in New York's 16th Congressional District was the most expensive primary in history - with the powerful American Israel Public Affairs Committee pouring $15million into a campaign against Bowman.
Bowman was targeted for his anti-Israel views and his strong support for Palestinians in the wake of the Hamas October 7 terrorist attacks.
He was one of the first to demand a ceasefire and has flirted with conspiracies about Israel, prompting some within his own party to accuse him of antisemitism.
Voters also wouldn't have forgotten him pleading guilty to pulling a fire alarm in Congress because he was running late to votes.
The future of the hardcore progressive Squad is now on shaky grounds and Bowman's performance does not bode well for Democrats who publicly oppose Israel. AOC won her primary after a close-fought contest with Wall Street banker Marty Dolan.
Latimer is a former state legislator who has served as Westchester County executive since 2018. He's the favorite to win in November in the Democratic stronghold.
Democratic Rep. Jamaal Bowman is fighting for his political survival as voters head to the polls in New York for the Democratic primary. He campaigned with fellow Squad members Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Rep. Ayanna Pressley in Mount Vernon on Monday
Bowman's district is partly affluent, white and Jewish in Westchester and partly black and brown voters in the Bronx.
Rep. Nicole Malliotakis, R-N.Y., said 'good riddance' to Bowman's loss on X.
'From his juvenile fire alarm antics to his vile anti-Semitism to his profanity-laced tirades to his support for open borders & defunding police, Jamaal Bowman has been an embarrassment to his party, his district & our state. Good riddance.'
Bowman spoke to disappointed supporters at an election watch party in Yonkers and told them the race was not about him but about 'justice'.
He also stood by some of pro-Palestinian comments that precipitated his downfall.
'We will not stand for the bombing and killing of babies in Gaza,' he told his fans.
'This race was never about me and me alone. It was never about this district and this district alone.
'It was always about all of us. Now, our opponents may have won this round at this time in this place. But this will be a battle for our humanity and justice for the rest of our lives.'
Latimer addressed his elated supporters and looked to the future.
'It doesn't matter your age, religion, sexual identity, whether you’re a right hander or left hander, whether you're a Met fan or a Yankee fan-our inclusiveness in Westchester County is how we govern the people,'
'Jamaal Bowman should pull the fire alarm again because he is going to be smoked by [Latimer] today,' former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, D, wrote on X as voters headed to the polls.
'The message is clear: anti-semitism in any and all forms will not be tolerated in New York. And you can’t call yourself a progressive without making progress.'
'We are going to show f***ing AIPAC, the power of the motherf***ing South Bronx!' Bowman yelled Saturday at a rally with fellow progressive 'Squad' member Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Democratic socialist Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt.The former principal who once pulled the fire alarm in the Capitol during votes has lost the support of at least one colleague: Rep. Josh Gottheimer, D-N.J., came out in support of Latimer on Monday.
Two disappointed Bowman supporters embrace during his after-primary party on Tuesday
Bowman is the first 'Squad' member to be unseated, putting the future of the hardcore progressive faction on shaky ground
Bowman kept up appearances and smiled as he greeted his supporters at the election watch party
A Bowman fan listens to her defeated candidate speak at the Grand Roosevelt Ballroom in New York on Tuesday night
Bowman told supporters that the race was about 'justice' and said: 'We will not stand for the bombing and killing of babies in Gaza'
Latimer speaks to his supporters after securing victory in the New York 16th Congressional District primary
The Westchester County Executive hugs a member of his stage entourage during the victory celebrations
Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., shared a clip of a heated exchange he had with Bowman off the House floor over gun control last year.
Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton had also jumped into the race on Latimer's side - as did former Rep. Mondaire Jones, D-N.Y., a progressive and fellow member of the Congressional Black Caucus.
Jones soured on Bowman over his criticisms of Israel. He is expected to win a nomination to face Rep. Mike Lawler, R-N.Y., in the fall.
In a final debate with Latimer on Tuesday, Bowman, 48, who is black, went after Latimer for his close ties to AIPAC and claimed he slow-walked desegregation as Westchester County executive.
'He claims to be a Democrat, but he is supported by racist MAGA Republicans who support taking your voting rights — gutting your abortion rights,' Bowman said.
'This is an example of using race as a weapon,' Latimer shot back. 'What we need to do is bring people together.'
Last week Bowman came under fire for a new report claiming he asked a Jewish leader to send him photos of them together to prove he has Jewish friends.
A private text between Bowman and an unidentified Jewish leader from when Bowman first ran for re-election in 2022 was published by Jewish Insider on Tuesday.
'Do you have pics of us? So I can show the world I'm friends with Jewish People,' Bowman wrote, according to the report.
The leader did have a photo with Bowman, but did not share it with the congressman.
'I was uncomfortable,' the Jewish leader said of the awkward message. 'I kind of joked around with him about it. I said, 'Oh, I'm sure you guys have it. Don't worry about it.'
'I was like, 'I don't want to be his court Jew,' he said. 'That wasn't what I signed up for.'
