George Latimer, Westchester County, New York’s govt, formally launched his Democratic main problem towards left-wing “Squad” member Rep. Jamaal Bowman.
“These are difficult times. New Yorkers need a Congressmember who will listen to every voice, not just those who agree with him, & who will deliver on the issues that matter,” Latimer posted on social media Wednesday morning. “I’m running for Congress because I know we need new leadership – and I’m ready to deliver. Will you join our movement for real progressive results, not rhetoric?”
Latimer will face off towards Bowman, who was first elected in 2020 to characterize New York’s sixteenth Congressional District, which encompasses Westchester County’s southern suburban areas and components of the Bronx. Latimer’s announcement follows him submitting a press release of candidacy for Congress with the Federal Elections Commission on Monday.
The heavily-Democratic district, which is residence to a big and influential Jewish neighborhood, has been mired in controversy in latest months over political stances and feedback Bowman has made which can be seen as anti-Israel. Latimer visited Israel final week as a part of a solidarity journey with different county and state lawmakers.
‘SQUAD’ MEMBER FACES ATTACK FROM WITHIN OWN PARTY OVER ISRAEL STANCE AMID DEM INFIGHTING ON GAZA
Westchester, New York, County Executive George Latimer (Westechester County )
The New York congressman additionally confronted controversy this fall after he pulled a hearth alarm within the House of Representatives earlier than lawmakers voted to avert a authorities shutdown. He pleaded responsible to a misdemeanor rely for triggering the fireplace alarm and was required to pay a $1,000 superb and serve three months’ probation.
NY DEM TEES UP PRIMARY AGAINST ‘SQUAD’ MEMBER UNDER FIRE FOR ISRAEL STANCE, FIRE ALARM FIASCO
Bowman appeared to drag a hearth alarm as Republicans started voting on the stopgap invoice to avert a authorities shutdown. (U.S. Capitol Police)
Latimer is a widely known New York Democrat who has been concerned in native politics since 1987, working his manner up from positions equivalent to metropolis councilman in Rye, to New York state senator, to his present position as Westchester County govt. He is term-limited in his county position and can vacate the place in 2025.
“I’ve been a strong Democrat. We have done progressive things, from our transportation policy to our housing policy to Black maternal health policies, funding, wage theft – you name it, we’ve done it here,” Latimer instructed News 12 this week.
REP BOWMAN SAYS THERE MUST BE ‘CLEAR DISTINCTION’ BETWEEN ISRAEL’S CITIZENS, GOVERNMENT
Across his three many years in politics, Latimer has by no means misplaced an election.
Rep. Jamaal Bowman speaks on the National Action Network’s (NAN) three-day annual nationwide conference on April 7, 2022, in New York City. (Spencer Platt/Getty Images)
Bowman defeated highly effective three-term incumbent Eliot Engel when the previous center college principal first secured his spot within the House, which was one of many largest Democratic main upsets of 2020. This election cycle, Bowman has garnered help from teams and allies equivalent to New York’s Working Families Party and Justice Democrats, and fellow Squad member Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., for his re-election.
‘SQUAD’ DEM REP JAMAAL BOWMAN FIRE ALARM FOOTAGE RELEASED AFTER GUILTY PLEA: ‘BOLD-FACED LIAR’
Speculation has mounted for months that Latimer would throw his hat within the ring as some voters within the district sounded off that they need a congressman who helps Israel and champions the views of Jewish voters.
Thousands attend a pro-Israel rally at eighty fifth Street and Central Park West in New York City on Nov. 6. (Peter Gerber for Fox News Digital)
Bowman has come underneath hearth for calling for a cease-fire on the onset of the Israel-Hamas battle, which some critics say helped erode help for Israel because it battles the terrorist group. He additionally confronted criticism for boycotting Israeli President Isaac Herzog’s speech to Congress this previous summer time, and for initially defending Rep. Pramila Jayapal, D-Wash., when she got here underneath hearth for saying that Israel is a “racist state.”
In his marketing campaign video, Latimer mentioned, “Our congressman is making news for all the wrong reasons,” with a voiceover citing Bowman voting towards resolutions condemning Hamas. The Westchester govt additionally took situation with Bowman allegedly hindering infrastructure improvement within the district.
OVER 20 DEMOCRATS, 1 REPUBLICAN VOTE AGAINST RESOLUTION CONDEMNING ANTISEMITISM ON COLLEGE CAMPUSES
Bowman has publicly condemned Hamas’ assault on Israel amid criticism of the Israeli authorities.
As some voters fumed over Bowman’s Israel feedback, experiences unfold this summer time that highly effective pro-Israel teams have been courting Latimer to launch a main problem in a bid to have a pro-Israel politician representing one of many largest Jewish communities within the nation. Pro-Israel group AIPAC is anticipated to be considered one of Latimer’s largest assets, Jewish Insider beforehand reported.
Bowman has since hit again at hypothesis of massive donations from AIPAC flooding the marketing campaign cycle in a Facebook advert that started working this week, in response to Politico.
“Jamaal was one of the first representatives to support a cease-fire,” the Bowman marketing campaign advert states. “But because of his calls for peace, AIPAC is flooding his district with nasty attack ads. Chip in to keep Jamaal in office, defending our values and pushing to save lives.”
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/squad-member-fire-alarm-fiasco-takes-heat-own-party-need-new-leadership
