(LibertySociety.com) – Incumbent Representative Jamaal Bowman was ousted in the most expensive primary race in the history of the House of Representatives. He is a known member of the progressive “squad” that began with four congresswomen elected in 2018. When Bowman was elected in 2020, he was informally accepted into the progressive left group which now contains nine members.
Between Bowman and challenger George Latimer, there was $23 million spent on the race. A prevailing issue in the campaign was the candidate’s positions on the conflict between Israel and Gaza. Bowman has supported the Hamas led protests calling for Israel to stop their attacks in Palestine while Latimer has not specifically called for a cease-fire. Latimer called for a two state solution for the conflict.
Bowman has been accused of antisemitism for criticizing the meeting another representative had with Jewish leaders. Bowman also claimed that Israeli women were not raped by Hamas during the attacks of October 7. In October, Bowman admitted guilt for a misdemeanor charge because he pulled the fire alarm just as the legislature was set to vote on a funding package to prevent a government shutdown.
In response to Bowman’s loss, Rep Thomas Massie posted on X that he will miss their conversations in the halls of Congress. Massie posted a video of Bowman speaking loudly about gun control to protect children from school shootings. Massie walked up and attempted to add another perspective to say there have been no shooting incidents that have occurred when teachers openly carry firearms to school.
Bowman continued to speak over Massie during the interaction and asked the Republican representative if he has ever worked in a school. Outside groups funded the campaign heavily to defeat Bowman, including the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC). Rep Cori Bush, also a member of the squad, faces a difficult race for her own seat as AIPAC is heavily funding her opponent for the 2024 election campaign.
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