Four years ago, Mondaire Jones and Jamaal Bowman made history by winning hard-fought primaries in neighboring districts to become the first Black men to represent New York’s Westchester County in Congress. However, they are now deeply divided over the Israel-Hamas war, causing Mr. Jones to pledge to help defeat Mr. Bowman in the Democratic primary and endorse his opponent, George Latimer. This conflict highlights the division within Democratic politics over the Middle East conflict, with pro-Israel interest groups spending $10 million on Mr. Latimer’s behalf. Mr. Jones expressed concerns about Mr. Bowman positioning himself as a leading critic of Israel, causing anxiety among Jewish New Yorkers and unraveling the community’s fabric.
Mr. Jones’s decision to distance himself from Mr. Bowman may also be strategic, as he is currently running to unseat Representative Mike Lawler in a swing district just north of Westchester. By endorsing Mr. Latimer, Mr. Jones hopes to appeal to Jewish and moderate voters as he navigates the changing political landscape. For Mr. Latimer, the support of Mr. Jones could provide a crucial advantage as he faces accusations of racism from Mr. Bowman in the final weeks of a heated campaign in a district with significant Black and Jewish populations.
Both Mr. Jones and Mr. Bowman gained national attention in 2020 amid the pandemic and protests following George Floyd’s death. While they both ran campaigns against long-time incumbents and garnered support from progressive Democratic figures like Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, they approached certain issues differently. Mr. Bowman, a former school principal, was more confrontational towards the party establishment and accepted support from the Democratic Socialists of America, while Mr. Jones maintained closer ties to party leadership.
Mr. Jones decided to intervene in the Bowman-Latimer race due to his concerns about Israel, particularly Mr. Bowman’s criticism of the country. Since the conflict last fall, Mr. Bowman has emerged as a vocal critic of Israel, calling for a cease-fire and accusing the nation of genocide in Gaza. Mr. Jones questioned the progressive nature of Mr. Bowman’s statements surrounding the conflict and highlighted his endorsement by the Democratic Socialists of America, which he linked to a pro-Hamas rally in New York City.
Despite Mr. Bowman rejecting accusations of antisemitism and emphasizing his pro-peace stance, Mr. Jones and others have raised concerns about the impact of his statements on Jewish communities. Mr. Jones’s endorsement of Mr. Latimer, along with support from other public figures and organizations, underscores the growing divide within the Democratic Party over the Israel-Hamas conflict. While Mr. Bowman retains the backing of labor unions, progressive lawmakers like Ms. Ocasio-Cortez, and House Democratic leadership, Mr. Latimer hopes that Mr. Jones’s endorsement will help counter accusations of racism and shift the dynamics of the race in his favor.
