The chairman of the New York State Democratic Celebration gave a “Squad” snub and went silent on liberal Rep. Jamaal Bowman – moments after effusively praising the incumbent politician’s major opponent.
Chairman Jay Jacobs had nothing however good issues to say about Westchester County Government George Latimer, a reasonable who has gained momentum whereas Bowman is underneath fireplace for anti-Israel statements and different political missteps.
“If elected, George Latimer would make a superb congressman,” Jacobs instructed The Put up Monday.
However requested what he thinks of Bowman, Jacobs solely mentioned, “No remark.”
Bowman, the previous Bronx center faculty principal, is searching for a third-term within the sixteenth Home district encompassing southern Westchester and elements of the northern Bronx.
“George Latimer is an effective pal of mine,” mentioned Jacobs, a reasonable and shut ally of Gov. Kathy Hochul who is also the Nassau County Democratic chief.
He mentioned they’ve labored collectively over time not simply on politics however points vital to suburban and concrete New Yorkers.
Jacobs stopped wanting endorsing Latimer, however get together insiders mentioned he’s made it clear that he’s pulling for Latimer to win the June 25 major.
Final week, Bowman sought and received the endorsement of the anti-Israel, hard-left Democratic Socialists of America.
He’s additionally backed by the left-leaning Working Households Celebration.
Professional-Israel teams – together with the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, or AIPAC – are pumping tens of millions of {dollars} into the trouble to defeat Bowman, together with with hard-hitting TV adverts essential of the incumbent.
Latimer has campaigned as a staunch ally of the Jewish state.
Bowman was captured on video final November calling Israel an “apartheid” state as he angrily claimed reported rapes and youngster murders in the course of the Oct. 7 assault have been a “lie.”
He later walked again the feedback after being accused of spreading Hamas propaganda.
Throughout a debate final month, Bowman argued that the phrase “From the river to the ocean” — which is usually interpreted as a name to eradicate the Jewish state — wasn’t hateful. Latimer countered that the phrase is usually understood as antisemitic and genocidal.
Bowman additionally has the backing of fellow “Squad” Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez – whose Bronx-Queens district borders his – and state Sen. Jamaal Bailey, chairman of the Bronx Democratic Celebration.
Latimer has the backing of the Westchester Democratic Celebration institution, in addition to pro-Israel and Jewish Democrats.
The incumbent’s rhetorical baggage and left-wing positions usually are not the one obstacles he has to beat to win the first.
The Republican-led Home voted in December to censure Bowman for pulling a hearth alarm in a Capitol Hill workplace constructing Sept. 30 so as to delay a vote to avert a authorities shutdown.
He pleaded responsible to a misdemeanor depend Oct. 26 of falsely pulling the fireplace alarm and agreed to pay a $1,000 positive, insisting it was a mistake.
Bowman is a part of a casual group of far-left Home members, dubbed “The Squad” by their acolytes, that features neighboring Ocasio-Cortez and Reps. Ilhan Omar of Minnesota, Ayanna Pressley of Massachusetts, Rashida Tlaib of Michigan and Cori Bush of Missouri.
The Put up reached out to the Bowman marketing campaign for remark however didn’t instantly hear again.
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