George Latimer defeats Rep. Jamaal Bowman in New York House Democratic primary

Progressive Rep. Jamaal Bowman, a fierce critic of Israel, suffered a primary defeat to moderate challenger George Latimer, who received support from pro-Israel groups. The race in New York’s 16th District saw a record-breaking $25 million in ad spending. Bowman conceded defeat but vowed to continue fighting for humanity and justice. Latimer, a seasoned politician, is expected to win in the deep-blue district. The defeat of Bowman, a member of the progressive “squad,” has highlighted divisions within the Democratic Party. This loss comes after Bowman committed several unforced errors, including falsely pulling a fire alarm and making controversial comments about sexual violence in Israel. Prominent figures like Bernie Sanders and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez campaigned for Bowman, while Hillary Clinton and others endorsed Latimer. In neighboring districts, former allies like Rep. Mondaire Jones endorsed Latimer, causing controversy among progressives. Jones ultimately won his primary and will face a Republican incumbent in the fall. Other notable primary results include AOC’s victory in New York’s 14th District and John Avlon’s win in the 1st District. Democrats are focusing on gaining seats in New York to secure the House majority, with five Republicans representing districts won by Biden in 2020. Overall, the New York primaries have set the stage for competitive matchups in November.

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