By Dan Murphy
Congressman Jamaal Bowman and County Executive George Latimer faced off in their last debate on June 12, sponsored by the Westchester League of Women Voters. The debate, which can be viewed at www.youtube.com/watch?v=8WDLuKQveE8, had both candidates exchanging barbs and accusations against the other. Bowman and Latimer are competing in a democratic primary for Congress in NY-16.
After the debate, both campaigns declared victory.
Bowman’s campaign stated, “Democratic Congressman Jamaal Bowman laid out his progressive vision for residents of Westchester and the Bronx tonight at NY1/WNYC’s NY-16 debate, reminding voters of the critical wins and investments he has partnered with President Biden to deliver for New Yorkers in his first two terms in Congress. From his urgent leadership on affordable housing and gun violence prevention to his trailblazing legislation on climate, Bowman highlighted his work on:
- His success in collaborating with President Biden to pass the CHIPS And Science Act — with critical amendments to ensure marginalized communities received their fair share of investments — as well as his push to pass his own powerful climate bill, The Green New Deal for Public Schools, to transform our public school infrastructure and create 1.3 million jobs each year.
- His commitment to representing the concerns of the majority of American voters, who overwhelmingly support a permanent ceasefire and an end to unconditional funding to Netanyahu’s military with US taxpayer dollars.
- His vision for reinvesting the billions of dollars being spent in an unjust foreign war into meeting the needs of working families, investing domestically in education, affordable housing, accessible healthcare, and more.
- His commitment to making billionaires pay their fair share with his Babies Over Billionaires legislation, and repealing Trump’s tax cuts for the ultra wealthy.
- His partnership with President Biden to tackle gun violence prevention by regulating ghost guns and curbing one of the larger sources of gun violence in New York.
- His push to repair theharms caused by white supremacy by addressing the historical injustices suffered by Black and brown communities with reparations here at home, and with a Marshall Plan for Central American countries harmed by our foreign policy abroad.
In contrast to Congressman Bowman’s progressive vision for Westchester and the Bronx, George Latimer sought to repeatedly deny Congressman Bowman’s achievements, even though he always made time to attend photo-ops to celebrate money the Congressman brought in. Congressman Bowman was raised in public housing by a single mother, and spent years advocating for young people as a middle school principal. Latimer, on the other hand, is a millionaire and career politician who owns multiple properties, is running a campaign largely funded by Republican billionaires, and has made it clear that he supports President Trump’s regressive tax policy that allows the rich to get richer at the expense of working families.
The primary occurs as AIPAC, the right-wing lobby funded by the same megadonors that support Donald Trump and over 200 anti-abortion Republicans, has flooded the district with over $13 million in TV ads and mailers, underscoring Congressman Bowman’s calls to regulate big money out of politics.
“My opponent is bankrolled by a Republican-funded Super PAC that is the single largest source of Republican spending in Democratic primaries and is happily endorsed alongside anti-abortion extremists and election-denying MAGA extremists. But from my time as Principal Bowman to my role as Congressman Bowman, my commitment has always been to standing up to those right-wing interests to uplift the needs of working families and investing in the potential of all people,” said Congressman Jamaal Bowman. “That’s why, unlike my opponent, I stand with President Biden in support of a progressive wealth tax that finally holds the ultra-wealthy accountable to paying their fair share, and stand with President Biden in repealing Trump’s regressive policies once and for all.”
Latimer’s campaign stated, “In the third debate against struggling and scandal-plagued opponent, incumbent Jamaal Bowman, which aired tonight on Spectrum News NY1, Congressional Candidate for the 16th New York District Democrat George Latimer emerged as the clear winner. Latimer schooled Bowman on basic facts of the district, laid out his clear vision for the future, and referenced his experience delivering real progressive results. Latimer presented hard facts and figures that demonstrate his deep understanding of the district’s complexities and the leadership qualities essential for the district’s next congress member.
In a stark contrast, Bowman continued to use divisive rhetoric that his own constituents have told him is hurtful, spin the truth, and spread blatant lies. During the debate when Bowman was asked about his self-inflicted scandals, including pleading guilty to a misdemeanor and being censured by the House for pulling a fire alarm, he failed to take responsibility or offer an apology for his actions.
When asked about the Hamas-Israel conflict, and whether the U.S. should cut off funding or aid to Israel, Latimer said that the Hamas’ attack on Oct. 7 “triggered everything that has followed afterward.” He said he trusts President Biden and Secretary of State Blinken “will do the negotiations that are necessary.”
In a stunning moment when Latimer asked Bowman whether he’d support Democrat Mondaire Jones in the neighboring NY-17 election against MAGA Republican Mike Lawler, an election that could help flip the House to Democratic control, Bowman refused to support the Democrat.
“I am running for Congress to give voters a choice between the divisive rhetoric of my opponent, and my experience delivering real progressive results,” said NY-16 Congressional Candidate George Latimer. “I am the only candidate in this race with a progressive record on issues that matter to the people of Westchester and the Bronx: gun control, choice, affordable housing, public transportation, the environment, human rights and healthcare and, I am ready to roll up my sleeves and get things done in Washington for every community across NY-16.”
Latimer also pressed Bowman on his repeated false claims that he has brought over $1 billion to the district, which news reports show a staggering $916 million of this amount stemmed from federal grants and loans that he had absolutely no involvement with. As Politico reports, “Bowman is counting about $916 million in federal grants and loans that he apparently had little to nothing to do with.”
In addition, Latimer referred to his record of delivering for constituents during the debate, from creating thousands of new units of affordable housing to cutting property taxes, working with Attorney General Letitia James to bring gun buyback programs to Westchester, and investing in sustainable infrastructure. Latimer has been in the forefront of improving the quality of life of Westchester residents, and he promised to bring that same energy to Washington to get even more done for the Bronx and Westchester.
