Westchester County Executive George Latimer, above
Below: Westchester Congressman Jamaal Bowman
By Dan Murphy
Last week, we reported on Congressman Jamaal Bowman’s comments about the Police Shooting in New Rochelle of Jarrell Garris. Rep. Bowman, who represents more than half of Westchester in the 16th District, called the shooting “police brutality,” sparking outrage among Police organizations.
Rep. Bowman also recently announced that he would not be attending the address of Israeli President Isaac Herzog to Congress. In a statement, Bowman writes, “My decision to not attend in no way stems from a lack of support for the existence of the State of Israel. On the contrary, it is out of concern that there is no sense of urgency about ensuring the safety and security of all Israelis and Palestinians in the region and finally achieving a two-state solution. This is also an informed decision out of engagement and deep listening to President Herzog, members of parliament, Israeli and Palestinian scholars, and community members in the region who experienced settler violence and dispossession. While President Herzog has stated settlements should be frozen and claims to opposes settler violence, he has remained silent as Prime Minister Netanyahu’s government has expanded settlements that are illegal under international law and has appointed Ministers that seek the anti-democratic annexation of the West Bank and the demise of any two state solution with the Palestinians.”
“While I appreciate and understand that the invitation to Herzog to speak to Congress over Netanyahu is a strong statement against Netanyahu’s extremist actions, Herzog on his own must answer key questions on how we will arrive to a two state solution, ending annexation, child detention, home demolition, settler violence and the killing of American journalist Shireen Abu Akleh. At this time, although Herzog is viewed as a centrist statesman, he has not yet shown the actions of pro-democracy and a pro-peace agenda. I strongly support a democratic Israel and a Palestinian state that are able to thrive with peace and security.”
Bowman’s comments have drawn rebukes from many members of the Jewish community in Westchester, and combined with his comments against the Police, a number of wealthy donors, members of police organizations and Jewish groups, have begun to look for a candidate who might challenge Bowman in a democratic primary next year.
One name that has surfaced, and perhaps the only Westchester democrat with the gravitas to challenge Bowman, and win, is Westchester County Executive George Latimer. And while several media reports have confirmed that Latimer has been approached to consider a run against Bowman, the County Executive has made no decision on what his future political plans are.
News 12 reporter Tara Rosenblum was the first to report about Latimer being approached to run against Bowman. “I am thinking about the advice I have been given and will have more to come,” said Latimer.
City and State and Politico also ran stories about the possible Bowman v Latimer matchup, and most of those interviewed gave Latimer a chance at victory. Republican strategist Bill O’Reilly pointed out that Latimer “is a tenacious campaigner.”
Several other political strategists said that Latimer will run as a moderate democrat, which would contrast with Bowman’s far left, progressive ideology, evident in his membership in “the squad,” a group of progressive democrats in Congress, including Rep. Alexandra Ocasio-Cortez and Rep. Pramila Jayapal, who recently said that the country of Israel is racist.
Jake Dilemani, a Democratic consultant with Mercury told City and State, “His antics in the last week was, for many people, the straw that broke the camel’s back. He was one of only nine people that didn’t vote for a bill that said a very simple phrase: Israel is not a racist country.
Also, in City & State, Public Affairs partner at Dynamic SRG, Darren Rigger called Bowman a “professional protestor” and that there are “senior members of the Jewish community in New York who would very much like to see a George Latimer candidacy” Rigger said. “What I heard a lot of people say is Jamal Bowman does performative politics – it’s the person who flips over a table in the back of a room or wears a T-shirt and leads a protest. There’s no evidence of doing the legislation and passing bills.”
Jewish Insider also ran a story about Bowman and a possible challenger. Justin Brasch, President of the White Plains Common Council said, “The Jewish community is furious, and it comes from a long and recent chain of events. People text, email and call me every single day expressing frustration with Congressman Bowman.”
“There’s no doubt that this constant approach of Congressman Bowman’s that’s against Israel has had a tremendous impact on the community,” Brasch said. “Many people are actively looking for a strong candidate to oppose him.”
Jewish Insider also reported that “AIPAC, (American Israel Public Affairs Committee) has met with Latimer in an effort to convince him to run, according to a source familiar with the outreach who was granted anonymity to discuss a confidential matter. (A spokesperson for AIPAC declined to comment.)”
Bill Schrag, President of the Westchester Jewish Council, added in the Jewish Insider story, “Congressman Bowman’s recent boycott of President Herzog and his ‘no’ vote on the recent congressional bill supporting Israel and condemning antisemitism did not occur in a vacuum. This is not the first time Congressman Bowman has disappointed us.”
Last year, Rep. Bowman was challenged in a democratic primary by County Legislators Vedat Gashi and Catherine Parker. Bowman won with 57% of the vote, with Gashi second with 23% and Parker third with 18%.
Gashi is now BOL Chair and said he has no plans to run. Parker said she is “not contemplating running” but is “willing to work with others to try to” unseat Bowman.
One Sound Shore Democrat analyzed those results. “Last year, 41% of democrats in the district voted against Bowman. I think George (Latimer) can get another 10% based on who he is and what he has done as County Executive. I think he can do it if he wants it.”
And that is the question-does 70-year-old George Latimer want to rock the boat and run against a sitting democrat incumbent Congressman? Does he want to travel to Washington DC and back every week? Does he want to be attacked by Indivisible and other progressive democrats for challenging a black progressive congressman? What would be the response from black democrats in Mt. Vernon, Yonkers and the Bronx?
And if Latimer were to run, it would be national news. “For Latimer to run, this would be to nationalize a primary around a discourse that is deeply counterproductive and a daily headache, frankly, for American Jews,” said strategist Alexis Grenell.
Latimer also enjoys his job as County Executive and has two years left in his last term. But if he does have the fire in the belly—look out. Latimer’s recent leadership during COVID has endeared him to the people of Westchester. And whenever underestimated in past elections, Latimer comes out on top.
“He was told not to run for State Senate but beat Bob Cohen. Then he ran against Rob Astorino and beat him badly. He works his ass off and campaigns like nobody else. And in a debate, there may be nobody better. I will say look out Jamaal if he wants to do it. But that is a big if,” said a Yonkers democrat.
NYS GOP Chair Ed Cox has also had enough of Rep. Jamaal Bowman. “I call upon Kathy Hochul, Jay Jacobs, Hakeem Jeffries, Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand to take a clear and unambiguous stand against anti-Semitism in their own party and condemn Rep. Bowman. Andrea Stewart-Cousins and Shelley Meyer live in Jamaal Bowman’s district. Do they have anything to say?”
Indiana Jones recently made his last adventure in the movie, The Dial of Destiny. Does George Latimer have one last election in him?
