Who needs something to smile about today?
Rep. Jamaal Bowman (D-N.Y.), a member of the so-called "Squad," is likely to lose by a landslide in the June 25 New York Democratic primary.
In the Emerson College Polling/PIX11/The Hill survey, Westchester County Executive George Latimer secured 48% of Democratic primary voters' support, while Bowman, a two-term incumbent, garnered just 31%. The poll also noted that 21% of respondents in the 16th Congressional District, covering much of Westchester County and parts of the north Bronx, remained undecided.
Last year, Bowman was caught on video setting off a fire alarm in the Cannon House Office Building in an attempt to delay a House vote on the stopgap resolution to avert a shutdown. Despite his claim that it was an accident, Bowman pleaded guilty to misdemeanor charges related to the incident. Technically, he violated federal law by obstructing an official proceeding, but he received only a slap on the wrist. The House Ethics Committee absurdly chose not to investigate the incident.
But it's not the embarrassment of having a congressman who claims not to know what a fire alarm looks like that is hurting him.
According to a report from the New York Post, Bowman's position on the Israel-Hamas is hurting his bid for reelection.
The Israel-Hamas war may be playing an outsized role in the race, the survey showed.
Latimer, 70, has squarely sided with Israel in the raging conflict, while Bowman, 48, was captured on video in November calling Israel an “apartheid” state as he angrily claimed reported rapes and child murders by Hamas during the Oct. 7, 2023, attack on Israel were a “lie.” He later walked back the comment ripped as Hamas propaganda.
Forty-five percent of voters align more with Latimer on the war, 29% side more with Bowman, and 26% are unsure, the survey said.
Either way, more people want to see an end to the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza regardless of where they stand on Israel.
A plurality of Democratic primary voters — 43% — are less inclined to support a member of Congress who opposes a cease-fire in Gaza, while 37% are more likely to back a candidate who is against one. The remaining 20% had no opinion.
Half of the Democratic primary voters also thought the US government is spending too much on aid to Israel in the war with Hamas, while a third think the Biden administration is spending the right amount, and 17% think the country is spending too little.
Regarding humanitarian relief to Palestinians in Gaza, 46% thought the US is spending too little, 34% the right amount, and 21% too much.
Latimer is reportedly a moderate Democrat (whatever that means these days) with a long history in Westchester politics. He is also generally liked more than Bowman, whose antisemitic views have been on display since the start of the Israel-Hamas war. He's also backed by the Democratic Socialists of America.
According to the poll, 65% of voters view Latimer favorably, while only 23% view him unfavorably, with 12% undecided. In contrast, 51% have a favorable view of Bowman, while 43% view him unfavorably, and 6% are not familiar with him. Latimer also leads significantly among white voters by 42 points, with 62% to Bowman's 20%.
The U.S. Congress could do with fewer antisemitic socialists. I look forward to Bowman's defeat.
Join the conversation as a VIP Member