Westchester County Executive George Latimer has picked up a big name endorsement for his primary challenge against incumbent Democratic U.S. Rep. Jamaal Bowman. On Monday, Latimer announced that former Rep. Mondaire Jones, who is trying to make a comeback to Congress, endorsed the county executive.
Bowman was first elected in 2020 after beating longtime incumbent Eliot Engel in a Democratic primary for New York's 16th Congressional District seat and is facing his own challenge from the Westchester County executive. Bowman is a member of the group of progressive Democrats known as "the Squad" and has been endorsed by progressives from Bernie Sanders to Jumaane Williams and the New York chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America. While Bowman has the support of the progressive group The Jewish Vote, he has lost the endorsement of J Street PAC.
The race has become a proxy fight for the political divisions in the Democratic Party over Israel’s war against Hamas. Bowman has been a prominent voice calling for a permanent ceasefire in the conflict while his opponent, George Latimer, has been a staunch supporter of Israel while calling for a temporary ceasefire.
Jones is in a tough race of his own this election cycle. Prior to redistricting, Jones represented portions of the Hudson Valley. After redistricting, an intraparty squabble with Sean Patrick Maloney sent Jones to the 10th District in New York City, which was open but lost a primary to now-Rep. Dan Goldman. Now, Jones is back in the 17th District, trying to unseat freshman Republican Rep. Michael Lawler.
Early voting in the Democratic primary kicks off on June 15 and ends on June 23, with Election Day being June 25.