By Dan Murphy
Westchester County Executive George Latimer won a decisive victory on June 25 in his quest to represent the 16th district of NY in Congress. Latimer soundly defeated incumbent congressman Jamaal Bowman in the democratic primary by a 58%-41% margin.
The Latimer-Bowman contest was the most expensive House primary in history, with more than $25 Million spent between both campaigns and PAC’s. This contest was also watched by the national media, and Americans woke up the day after the primary to learn what most of us in Westchester appreciate about George Latimer.
How did Latimer do it? By using his political playbook that he has used to win again and again and yes again in elections over four decades. Latimer was known and respected by a supermajority of Westchester democrats, and those democrats (and a few republicans) worked for his election and made donations.
While Bowman was on the Colbert Show in Manhattan, Latimer was at a neighborhood association meeting in Yonkers, Bowman’s home turf.
Latimer has done something in Westchester that is unheard of in today’s nasty political climate. He has earned the trust of the people he has been elected to represent. Latimer won Westchester by a 63%-37% margin. Bowman won the Bronx with over 80%, but most of the 16th Congressional district is made up of Westchester.
Along with Latimer’s political skills, Bowman controversial stances on Israel played a role in his defeat. Westchester County is home to one of the largest Jewish-American communities in the country. The NY Times wrote how, “centrist Jewish voters flocked to him.”
Latimer received a massive boost to his campaign from outside PAC’s, most notable AIPAC, who helped steer donors to contribute to his campaign, and for paying for $17 Million in TV ads through the United Democracy Project, UDP.
Most interesting were the nature of the TV ads. None featured Bowman’s stance on Israel, but his vote against President Biden’s infrastructure, Bowman’s pulling of the fire alarm, and positive ads on Latimer.
Other groups like Westchester Unites (Teach Coalition), DMFI, and Fairshake (Crypto companies) added additional volunteers on the ground and with mail-TV.
“Rep. Bowman embraced his anti-Israel record that he built both before and since October 7, and expressed anti-Israel views that were deeply out of touch with his constituents and the mainstream of the Democratic Party,” said the UDP.
“Congressman Bowman made anti-Israelism the centerpiece of his campaign in a deep-blue district, and his constituents voted to oust him in favor of George Latimer, who earned our endorsement with his strong support for the U.S.-Israel relationship and the broader Biden-Harris agenda. DMFI PAC Chairman Mark Mellman
“Pro-Israel activists strongly supported George Latimer — a progressive Democrat who is firmly committed to standing with Israel as it battles Iranian terrorist proxies. Voters rejected his opponent’s vituperative barrage of scurrilous attacks against the pro-Israel community. The outcome in this race once again shows that the pro-Israel position is both good policy and good politics — for both parties,” said AIPAC.
Bowman becomes the first member of the Ultra-Progressive “Squad” of seven house democrats to lose their seat. AOC and Bernie Sanders came to Bowman’s rescue last weekend but couldn’t save his campaign. AOC easily won her democratic primary in NYC over Irvington resident Marty Dolan, 80%-20%.
“We have to fight to make sure we do not vilify each other, and that we remember we are all Americans. We have serious issues to deal with, from climate change to immigration. We will argue and we will debate, but we must come together and understand the necessary for unity,” said Latimer, whose pivotal triumph paves the way for the next chapter of his campaign for Congress, which will culminate on November 5, 2024. Latimer does have a republican opponent in Miriam Flisser, who ran two years ago and got 36% of the vote against Bowman.
In a press release that claimed Bowman Falls Just Short (17 points?), Bowman states, “Our community isn’t done fighting.” Does that mean that Bowman will continue to run on the Working Families Party line in November?
In Westchester’s other marquee political primary, Susan Cacace won the democratic primary for District Attorney with 60% of the vote. William Wagstaff was second with 30%, and Adeel Mirza, who had gotten out of the race, got 10%. Cacace touted her experience, as a prosecutor and judge, which contrasted with Wagstaff’s lack of experience.
Finally, Assemblywoman MaryJane Shimsky won her democratic primary over former Assemblyman Tom Abinanti. Shimsky got 60% of the vote.
