Current:Home > FinancePro-Israel Democrat to challenge US Rep. Jamaal Bowman in primary race next year-LoTradeCoin
Pro-Israel Democrat to challenge US Rep. Jamaal Bowman in primary race next year
View Date:2024-12-23 19:39:50
ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — A pro-Israel Democrat will challenge U.S. Rep. Jamaal Brown in the primary race for his congressional seat next year.
Westchester County Executive George Latimer announced his candidacy Wednesday for the New York district, which covers parts of the north Bronx and Westchester suburbs.
Bowman is one of the House’s most vocal critics of Israel, and Jewish community leaders have been encouraging Latimer to run since the eruption of the latest Israel-Hamas war. The 70-year-old launched his campaign with an ad criticizing Bowman’s stance on the conflict as well as his opposition to a major Democratic infrastructure bill.
“It’s the continual commentary from people who live in the district who feel that they are not represented properly from the incumbent,” Latimer said in an interview with the Associated Press. “His focus has been to make a national name for himself.”
Several other House Democrats are also facing primary challenges due in part to their stances on the war.
Latimer, who returned from a trip to Israel last week, stressed that Bowman’s stance on the conflict was only part of the reason he decided to run. He said will focus on progressive policies around housing and abortion, among others.
Bowman’s press office did not immediately return an emailed request for comment.
The congressman has condemned Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack on Israel and rising antisemitism, but has also been critical of U.S. military aid to Israel and has made statements seen as inflammatory by Israel’s staunchest supporters.
Last month, Bowman said his office has been inundated with calls after he was among a few House members who opposed a resolution supporting Israel. He told a crowd a recent cease-fire rally that he opposed the resolution because, “I don’t believe it gives us a path forward to peace and justice for all people.”
“Every single life is precious, every single one,” he said. “We cannot allow the lives of anyone to be erased. This erasure of Palestinian lives and experience has been happening for decades.”
In September, Bowman drew national attention after he triggered a fire alarm in the Cannon House Office Building as lawmakers scrambled to pass a funding bill before a government shutdown deadline.
He later pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor count for the move, but maintained it was a mistake as he tried to open a locked door while rushing to vote.
veryGood! (4)
Related
- RHOBH's Kyle Richards Shares Reaction to BFF Teddi Mellencamp's Divorce
- German publisher to stop selling Putin books by reporter who allegedly accepted money from Russians
- Donald Trump’s lawyers focus on outside accountants who prepared his financial statements
- Southwest Airlines raises prices on alcohol ahead of the holidays
- Taylor Swift touches down in Kansas City as Chiefs take on Denver Broncos
- Germany’s opposition Left Party to dissolve caucus after prominent member launches rival venture
- Young Kentucky team plays with poise but can't finish off upset of No. 1 Kansas
- Video shows Army veteran stopping suspect from jacking pregnant woman's car at a Florida Starbucks
- Katherine Schwarzenegger Gives Birth, Welcomes Baby No. 3 With Chris Pratt
- Wisconsin Republicans pass $2B tax cut heading for a veto by Gov. Tony Evers
Ranking
- Jason Kelce Jokes He Got “Mixed Reviews” From Kylie Kelce Over NSFW Commentary
- China’s state media take a new tone toward the US ahead of meeting between their leaders
- 'King of scratchers' wins $5 million California Lottery prize sticking to superstition
- The Lion, the chainsaw and the populist: The rallies of Argentina’s Javier Milei
- Question of a lifetime: Families prepare to confront 9/11 masterminds
- Courteney Cox honors Matthew Perry with tribute to Monica and Chandler's 'Friends' love story
- North Korea says it tested new solid-fuel engines for intermediate-range ballistic missiles
- John Harbaugh: Investigators 'don't have anything of substance' on Michigan's Jim Harbaugh
Recommendation
-
School workers accused of giving special needs student with digestive issue hot Takis, other abuse
-
Who is Yoshinobu Yamamoto, the Japanese pitching ace bound for MLB next season?
-
Satellite photos analyzed by the AP show Israeli forces pushed further into Gaza late last week
-
Renowned Canadian-born Israeli peace activist Vivian Silver is confirmed killed in Hamas attack
-
'Full House' star Dave Coulier diagnosed with stage 3 cancer
-
Former Fox News reporter says in lawsuit he was targeted after challenging Jan. 6 coverage
-
Germany’s opposition Left Party to dissolve caucus after prominent member launches rival venture
-
Teachers confront misinformation on social media as they teach about Israel and Gaza