Three Challengers for June Primary
By Dan Murphy
For the past six years, Congressman Eliot Engel has served as Westchester’s congressman, replacing Congresswoman Nita Lowey, who was the county’s go-to member of the House of Representatives for more than 20 years.
Lowey had her district moved to include all of Rockland County and less of Westchester County after the census of 2010. Engel had his district moved to include 60 percent of Westchester, putting greater importance on the 16th district, which includes Yonkers, Greenburgh, New Rochelle, Mt. Vernon, Eastchester and the Sound Shore, and all of southern Westchester.
The other difference between Lowey and Engel will emerge later this year: Lowey has announced her retirement, and she will not be on the ballot in Westchester for the first time since 1986; Engel is running again for a 17th term.
The two have served together for 32 years.
Engel has been able to obtain the support of many Westchester democrats, including Yonkers City Councilwoman Shanae Williams, who wrote: “I stand with my Congressman Eliot Engel, who has been representing CD16 well and has been fighting against the Trump administration. Let’s re-elect Congressman Engel.”
Engel has received several endorsements, including the Communications Workers of America. “Eliot Engel has always been there for us,” said Kevin Sheil, president of CWA Local 1103. “He has stood shoulder-to-shoulder with our members on the picket lines, and fought for us in Washington when labor was under attack.”
“Unions are the backbone of the American economy,” said Engel. “As a former UFT member and the son of a union ironworker, I am honored to be endorsed by CWA, and I pledge to continue to fight on behalf of working people in this country.”
The National Organization of Woman called Engel a “long-time progressive leader in protecting and expanding women’s equality” who “is taking action against all Trump administration attacks on choice,” said @NationalNOW PAC Chairwoman Toni Van Pelt. “Now, more than ever, we need his commitment, his legislative expertise, and his veteran leadership in Congress.”
“As I have done my whole career, I will continue to advance women’s rights and women’s equality while protecting a woman’s right to choose, which is under constant attack by Trump and the Republicans,” said Engel. “This fight against the forces of right-wing extremism – and against the rights of American women – is central to everything I stand for as a public servant.”
As chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, Engel said the Ukraine story “is definitely not over.” His committee was one of several that led the impeachment inquiry against President Donald Trump. “I can tell you we’re not going to let the issue drop,” he said. “I think there are a lot of unanswered questions that the American public deserves to know.”
On coronavirus, Engel said: “I am monitoring the coronavirus situation closely and stand ready to assist state and local officials in any way possible. As chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee and a member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, I have already conducted oversight hearings and briefings on federal agency response efforts, and I am working with my colleagues to introduce legislation that addresses coronavirus-related drug shortages.
“And finally, I believe it is important not to allow stigmas to develop as a result of coronavirus, specifically as it pertains to certain individuals or businesses based on ethnicity or nationality. They are unfair and deeply misguided.”
Engel said he wants to use his seniority to help the people of the 16th District. “If there are things that we need for our community, frankly I’m in a better position to get it than someone who might be new,” he said.
This year, Engel currently has three democratic challengers collecting signatures to compete against him in a democratic primary June 23. The progressive democrats seeking to replace Engel are: Jamaal Bowman, a middle school principal who teaches in the Bronx and lives in Yonkers; Samuel Ravelo, a retired police officer and veteran who supports universal basic income, which would give all Americans $1,000 per month – a plan made popular by former presidential candidate Andrew Yang; and Andom Ghebreghiorgis, a special education teacher born to parents who immigrated to the U.S. from Eritrea, who lives in Mt. Vernon.
“The canvassing efforts to get Andom Ghebreghiorgis on the ballot as a congressional representative of NY’s 16th District are going well,” said Gayle Snible, communications director for Andom for Congress. “We’ll continue for the rest of the month, as it’s a great opportunity to get out into the communities, knocking on doors, and being at the train stations – all to meet the residents of District 16, tell them about Andom’s platform, and find out their concerns.”
Bowman received the endorsement from Justice Democrats, a progressive organization who endorsed Alexandra Ocasio-Cortez in 2018. “This is a wide open race, Engel is extremely vulnerable, and Jamaal, as a longtime middle school principal in the district, has the momentum and record of service to win this,” said Alexandra Rojas, executive director of Justice Democrats.
Bowman was also endorsed by the Center for Popular Democracy Action, an influential network of more than 50 progressive community organizations that expand the voice of workers, communities of color, and immigrants on issues of economic and racial justice. CPDA announced its support for Jamaal along with two other candidates, highlighting his focus on “ending privatization at every level and funding our communities so we can thrive.”
“As a progressive coalition that fights for low-income communities of color, CPDA understands the need to amplify the voices of marginalized communities and communities of color like those in NY-16,” said Bowman, who has also received the endorsement from Community Voices Heard in Yonkers. “Receiving their support is an honor and I look forward to working with CPDA to deliver progressive priorities.”
Bowman and Ghebreghiorgis are rejecting all corporate political action committee donations and lobbyist contributions. Bowman has raised $189,000; Ghebreghiorgis has raised $67,400 so far, with Engel at $566,000. Ravelo’s campaign account has $11,000.
AOC is the wild card in this race. She has yet to make an endorsement and, so far, has endorsed some congressional candidates but has stayed away from the long-serving congressional democrats from New York City, most notably Engel and Rep. Gerry Nadler.
