Rep. Jamaal Bowman is an “extremist” who doesn’t represent the views of the people in his district, according to the Democrat who wants to boot him from Congress — and according to a poll last week, might just do so.
Westchester County Executive George Latimer is challenging Bowman in the June Democratic primary for New York’s 16th district, an area which includes southern Westchester and the Wakefield neighborhood of the Bronx — and pundits view him as the best chance for moderate Democrats to claim a squad scalp.
“We’re not addressing the issues of the society … We’re not addressing them as part of the squad with sort of extreme views on things,” said Latimer, adding that his top priorities would be “affordable housing, jobs for the middle class and working class people, and climate change.”
A poll by Democratic Majority for Israel showed Latimer leading Bowman by 17 points.
Out would be extremist left issues such as reparations — something Bowman has proposed a $14 trillion plan to address.
“That is not a plausible or realistic approach to the issue. $14 trillion represents twice the national budget. That is a non-starter of an idea,” Latimer said.
The two are also diametrically opposed on the Middle East — the lightning-rod issue of the race. Since Hamas’ Oct. 7 terrorist attack in Israel which left at least 1,200 dead, Bowman has become infamous for his rabid attacks against Israel — including falsely accusing the country of genocide — and standing in solidarity with those who have praised Hamas Oct 7 massacre.
Latimer called Bowman’s rhetoric on Israel “extremist.”
“If you’re going to chant ‘free Palestine, free Palestine’ what you’re saying is Israel gets wiped off the map. That’s what that phrase means.” Latimer said. “Israel has right to exist. It needs to be able to exist on defensible borders.”
“I don’t know what goes on in either his heart or his mind, but he’s certainly been hostile to Israel,” Latimer said of Bowman. “I think he’s been unresponsive to the Jewish community.”
While their differences on Middle East policy have made headlines, the race will likely be decided by more local issues — which Latimer was far more eager to discuss.
The county executive promised “issue-by-issue” coalition building, working across aisle, and insisted he had no interest in “hanging with the cool kids” in his party.
“On many issues I’m progressive, on some issues I’m moderate and on some issues, you could call me conservative,” Latimer said. “I’ve cut taxes in Westchester County, we have fully funded the police and dropped violent crime in Westchester, things that I’m directly responsible for.”
The county executive promised “issue-by-issue” coalition building, working across aisle, and insisted he had no interest in “hanging with the cool kids” in his party.
The 70-year-old has been in public office since winning a seat on the Rye City Council in 1987. Before taking his current gig, Latimer spent 12 years in Albany as a member of both the State Assembly and Senate.
As a septuagenarian, he doesn’t dream of a long career in Congress, and instead plans to keep his nose burrowed in the unsexy work.
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Latimer grew animated talking about local infrastructure, and specifically Bowman’s vote against President Biden’s bipartisan infrastructure bill — which the congressman has lately taken to claiming credit for. At the time, Bowman complained that it helped too many white people.