The chairman of the New York State Democratic Party gave a “Squad” snub and went silent on liberal Rep. Jamaal Bowman – moments after effusively praising the incumbent politician’s primary opponent.
Chairman Jay Jacobs had nothing but nice things to say about Westchester County Executive George Latimer, a moderate who has gained momentum while Bowman is under fire for anti-Israel statements and other political missteps.
“If elected, George Latimer would make an excellent congressman,” Jacobs told The Post Monday.
New York State Democratic Party chairman Jay Jacobs praised Westchester County Executive George Latimer ahead of the June Democratic primary for New York’s 16th Congressional District. AP Photo/Stefan Jeremiah
Jacobs said Latimer would be an “excellent congressman.” Tania Savayan/The Journal News / USA TODAY NETWORKBut asked what he thinks of Bowman, Jacobs only said, “No comment.”
Bowman, the former Bronx middle school principal, is seeking a third-term in the 16th House district encompassing southern Westchester and parts of the northern Bronx.
“George Latimer is a good friend of mine,” said Jacobs, a moderate and close ally of Gov. Kathy Hochul who also is the Nassau County Democratic leader.
He said they have worked together over the years not just on politics but issues important to suburban and urban New Yorkers.
Jacobs said “no comment” when asked by The Post about Rep. Jamaal Bowman. Tania Savayan/The Journal News / USA TODAY NETWORKJacobs stopped short of endorsing Latimer, but party insiders said he’s made it clear that he’s pulling for Latimer to win the June 25 primary.
Last week, Bowman sought and won the endorsement of the anti-Israel, hard-left Democratic Socialists of America.
Pro-Israel groups – including the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, or AIPAC – are pumping millions of dollars into the effort to defeat Bowman, including with hard-hitting TV ads critical of the incumbent.
Latimer has campaigned as a staunch ally of the Jewish state.
Bowman was captured on video last November calling Israel an “apartheid” state as he angrily claimed reported rapes and child murders during the Oct. 7 attack were a “lie.”
He later walked back the comments after being accused of spreading Hamas propaganda.
During a debate last month, Bowman argued that the phrase “From the river to the sea” — which is generally interpreted as a call to eradicate the Jewish state — wasn’t hateful. Latimer countered that the phrase is commonly understood as antisemitic and genocidal.
Bowman also has the backing of fellow “Squad” Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez – whose Bronx-Queens district borders his – and state Sen. Jamaal Bailey, chairman of the Bronx Democratic Party.
Latimer has the backing of the Westchester Democratic Party establishment, as well as pro-Israel and Jewish Democrats.
Bowman was censured by the House for pulling a fire alarm in a Capitol Hill office building.
The incumbent’s rhetorical baggage and left-wing positions are not the only obstacles he has to overcome to win the primary.
The Republican-led House voted in December to censure Bowman for pulling a fire alarm in a Capitol Hill office building Sept. 30 in order to delay a vote to avert a government shutdown.
He pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor count Oct. 26 of falsely pulling the fire alarm and agreed to pay a $1,000 fine, insisting it was a mistake.
Bowman is part of an informal group of far-left House members, dubbed “The Squad” by their acolytes, that includes neighboring Ocasio-Cortez and Reps. Ilhan Omar of Minnesota, Ayanna Pressley of Massachusetts, Rashida Tlaib of Michigan and Cori Bush of Missouri.
The Post reached out to the Bowman campaign for comment but didn’t immediately hear back.
