Rep. Jamaal Bowman to face challenge in Democratic primary for New York seat

Westchester County Executive George Latimer, a Democrat, officially launched a primary campaign Wednesday against Rep. Jamaal Bowman of New York.

“These are difficult times. NYers need a Congressmember who will listen to every voice, not just those who agree with him, & who will deliver on the issues that matter,” Mr. Latimer posted on social media.

“I’m running for Congress because I know we need new leadership — and I’m ready to deliver,” he said.

Mr. Latimer has said his support for Israel was a big reason that factored into his decision to run in the 16th Congressional District. Mr. Bowman has been criticized for calling for a cease-fire in Gaza.

“Unfortunately, instead of working for us, our congressman is making news for all the wrong reasons,” Mr. Latimer’s campaign video stated.

Mr. Bowman has accused Israel of war crimes, while condemning Hamas for the Oct. 7 terrorist attack.

Mr. Latimer’s decision to primary Mr. Bowman potentially sets up an election next year that will illustrate the growing rift in the Democratic Party over the U.S. alliance with Israel and the strength of the party’s leftist faction.

The campaign of Mr. Latimer, a former state senator and assemblyman, is expected to have hefty financial support from the American Israel Public Affairs Committee and other pro-Israel special interest groups.

Several other Democrats around the country like Mr. Latimer have launched primaries against incumbents who are known for their strident pro-Palestinian stances.

The 16th Congressional District is the northern Bronx and the New York City suburbs of Westchester County, whose demographics range from some of the most prominent Jewish families to Black and Hispanic communities.

Mr. Bowman, 47, is a Black progressive freshman lawmaker who is known for his political theatrics on Capitol Hill.

Mr. Latimer, 70, is well known throughout Westchester County and in Albany as a veteran Democratic politician with a string of election wins under his belt. He also is White.

The announcement came as Mr. Bowman is facing a censure for pulling a fire alarm in a House office building when there was not an emergency.

Mr. Bowman was captured on a congressional security video pulling a fire alarm inside the Cannon House Office Building in late September, before the House was scheduled to vote on a government funding bill. The alarm caused the building to be evacuated.

Mr. Bowman apologized and claimed the incident was an accident.

A final vote on whether to pass the censure resolution is expected Thursday.

The D.C. attorney general charged Mr. Bowman in late October over the incident and the congressman pled guilty to a misdemeanor charge for falsely triggering a fire alarm in a House office building.

Censure is a rare but noteworthy condemnation of a lawmaker, but does not carry explicit punishments beyond the public rebuke.