#LatimerLostUs
A group of volunteers and supporters that were behind George Latimer’s County Executive run have come together to launch a new progressive, grassroots group opposing the 30-year politicians’ controversial run for NY-16’s congressional seat.
The group, called Westchester Progressives, is made up of progressive Democrats from across the county who say that while Congressman Jamaal Bowman champions the district’s progressive values, Latimer has sold them out in both rhetoric and record.
Said Farah Kathwari, (George Latimer Transition Team member & Westchester County Human Rights Commission board member) “I voted for George Latimer because I thought we needed somebody who would stop trying to divide us along ethnic lines. Instead, he’s spreading hateful rhetoric about Muslims and accusing people of being ‘Hamas’ supporters just for wanting peace. I remember what it was like after 9/11–I don’t want that to happen to my children.”
Brook Packard, a resident of George Latimer’s hometown, Rye NY said, “We elected George to get MAGA Republicans out of Westchester. Now he’s win-ing and dining with top Trump Donors, taking a million dollars from a Republican-funded PAC. They even registered thousands of Republicans as Democrats to vote for him. All to run against one of the most important progressive champions in Congress. He wasn’t uplifting our values; he was uplifting himself.“
The campaign’s supporters cite Latimer’s extensive support from Republicans, both through the AIPAC right wing lobby group which recruited Latimer to run and is spending over $25 million to support him in what could be the most expensive primary ever, and directly from Trump fundraisers [he attended].
Said Sandra Bernabei (Founder, Antiracist Alliance, National Association of Social Workers President 2014-16) “We worked to build the Democratic party so we could keep unseating Republicans. We were ready to spend this year going all-in on helping Democrats, just like we went all-in on helping George beat Rob Astorino in 2017. Instead, we’re now defending one of the most vital young Black progressives in Congress… from George! Running against Jamaal Bowman is dividing the party at the time we should be uniting.”
Westchester Progressives are announcing their launch with the #LatimerLostUs social media campaign. Members are asking like-minded progressives, who previously supported Latimer, to use the hashtag #LatimerLostUs to share their reasons why they are not endorsing George Latimer to represent them in the U.S. Congress.
Westchester Progressives can be found on Instagram (@WestchesterProgressives), on Twitter/X (@WEProgressives) and the Westchester Progressives Group on Facebook.
