Rep. Jamaal Bowman confronted a aggressive major on account of his criticism of the Israel-Hamas
struggle. His major challenger had the assist and monetary backing of AIPAC and far of the native institution.
AILSA CHANG, HOST:
In New York, George Latimer defeated Democratic Congressman Jamaal Bowman in a major race on Tuesday that was dominated by Israel’s struggle in Gaza. Whereas the race centered on a struggle that is taking place 1000’s of miles away, it additionally confirmed how all politics is native. Right here to speak extra about this incumbent defeat is WNYC’s Michelle Bocanegra. Welcome.
MICHELLE BOCANEGRA, BYLINE: Hey, comfortable to be right here.
CHANG: Hey. So I do know that you just spent a really late night time final night time reviewing all the outcomes on this race. What extra are you able to inform us about how voters appear to have sided on this district?
BOCANEGRA: So only for perspective, the district runs from the north Bronx to southern Westchester and is basically suburban. However it does have some dense city areas, like Yonkers, the place Bowman has completed effectively in earlier elections. And this time round, you realize, Bowman did effectively within the Bronx whereas Latimer did effectively in Westchester County, which does make up a lot of the district.
CHANG: And while you have been speaking to voters, what are among the causes that they gave you for why they selected to again Latimer?
BOCANEGRA: So pro-Israel voters who have been offended by a few of Bowman’s criticisms of Israel have accused him of antisemitism, which kind of made Latimer because the pro-Israel Democrat within the race – kind of the clear selection in that regard. He is backed by the American Israel Public Affairs Committee – or AIPAC – which, in fact, has spent some huge cash on the race.
However I feel most significantly, for folk at residence, Latimer is known as a native politician who has a long time of trainers on the bottom, speaking to folks within the district, assembly with elected officers and all that stuff. So, you realize, right here is Latimer simply dismissing what he considers ideological extremes that actually run counter to what he feels is his pragmatist strategy in direction of authorities.
(SOUNDBITE OF ARCHIVED RECORDING)
GEORGE LATIMER: We now have to have a look at the arguments of the far proper and the far left and say, you can’t destroy this nation.
BOCANEGRA: And his win actually represents kind of a return to the standard democratic norms that had dominated over New York’s extra average suburbs to the north of the town. And, you realize, what’s fascinating about that’s Bowman was considered because the man that kind of took on the institution again in 2020 in his Democratic major towards Eliot Engel, who was a 16-term incumbent who misplaced that 12 months to Bowman.
CHANG: However what in regards to the function of cash? As a result of wasn’t this, like, the costliest Home major within the U.S. to date? Like, how did cash affect this race, you suppose?
BOCANEGRA: Yeah, it positively was. And I feel essentially the most evident reply, so far as what voters within the district will inform you, is that there was this onslaught of political promoting attacking candidates that they simply actually weren’t used to previous to this race. And it was actually quite a bit for folks to abdomen.
And for progressives who’re involved about the US’ function within the struggle in Gaza, they suppose this consequence – Latimer’s win – may doubtlessly have a silencing impact, not simply on pro-Palestinian sentiment, but in addition only a host of different progressive points.
This is Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont on Saturday speaking about how different Congress members may very well be afraid to talk out on different points necessary to progressives if Bowman misplaced the race.
(SOUNDBITE OF ARCHIVED RECORDING)
BERNIE SANDERS: They are going to be trying throughout them. And they’ll be saying, is the billionaire class going to spend thousands and thousands of {dollars} towards me in my marketing campaign?
CHANG: And actual fast, Michelle, as a result of this was such a contentious race for a major, the place do you suppose Democrats in New York go from right here?
BOCANEGRA: I feel that half stays to be seen. , a voter I talked to at a Bowman rally within the district with Bernie Sanders final week says it will be troublesome contemplating how vicious all of it has develop into. And, you realize, this fracture is coming at a time when Democrats are searching for to retake the bulk within the Home, with a slate of suburban districts simply to the north of New York Metropolis and out on Lengthy Island actually being key components right here.
CHANG: That’s Michelle Bocanegra with WNYC in New York. Thanks a lot, Michelle.
BOCANEGRA: Thanks.
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