Latimer successfully defeated one of the progressive members of Congress, who was also known for being a vocal critic of Israel’s policies. Bowman had previously leveled accusations against Israel, claiming that the country had perpetrated genocide in Gaza, a region where a significant number of Palestinians have lost their lives due to military actions.
Latimer, a former state legislator who has held the position of Westchester County executive since 2018, entered the race after being encouraged by Jewish community leaders.His campaign received substantial financial support from the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, a prominent pro-Israel lobbying organization.
In the previous year, the US Congress took the step of officially reprimanding Bowman for his actions during a congressional session. While Democrats were attempting to delay a vote to prevent a government shutdown, Bowman set off a fire alarm, causing an evacuation of the building, BBC reported.
The primary race saw Latimer receiving support from Hillary Clinton, the former Secretary of State. On the other hand, Bowman had the backing of prominent figures such as Hakeem Jeffries, the House minority leader, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, a well-known left-wing representative, and Bernie Sanders, an independent senator from Vermont.
Former CNN personality John Avlon wins Democratic primary in New York
In other notable congressional contests, John Avlon, a former CNN political analyst, has won the Democratic primary race in New York’s 1st Congressional District and defeated challenging Nancy Goroff, who has lived in Suffolk County for more than two decades.
Avlon will now face Rep. Nick LaLota, the Republican incumbent, in November. While President Joe Biden eked out a 0.2-point win in the district in 2020, LaLota cruised to an 11-point victory two years later. The Democratic House Majority PAC has characterized the 1st Congressional District as “one of the most competitive districts in the country,” while the Cook Political Report has called it “likely Republican.”
US rep Lauren Boebert wins republican house primary
US rep Lauren Boebert won the republican primary in a US house race that she jumped into last year, surviving a scandal over a video of her at a Denver theater and accusations of carpetbagging after fleeing what could have been a tough reelection bid in her current district.
Boebert built national hard-line conservative stardom through a take-no-prisoners political style in the House.That clout likely made it easier for her to weather the scandals of the last year, which included the video of her vaping and causing a disturbance at a musical production of “Beetlejuice.”
Boebert beat a group of homegrown primary candidates who had far less name recognition and generally less combative political styles.
Meanwhile, in Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn, state Rep. Stefani Zinerman faces a challenge from Eon Huntley, who is supported by the Democratic Socialists of America.
In the Hudson Valley, state Rep. Didi Barrett is being challenged by Claire Cousin, who has questioned Barrett’s record on environmental issues and emphasized the need for more affordable housing. Lastly, in East Harlem, state Rep. Eddie Gibbs is facing Xavier Santiago in a race that has turned into a debate over representation and has seen personal insults exchanged between the candidates.
Polls closed at 9 pm (US time)
Polls will close at 9 pm Tuesday. Voters can find their local polling places on the Board of Elections website.
New York is a closed primary state, meaning Democrats and Republicans can vote only in their own parties’ primaries. Unaffiliated or independent voters cannot participate in the primary. The last day to register to vote before the primaries was June 15, and early voting ended Sunday.
All absentee ballots must be dropped off at a polling place by 9 pm or postmarked June 25.
What next?
The winner will face a challenging battle against the Republican incumbent in November.
The Democratic-led state Legislature is also up for election in November, with several Assembly primary races expected to be closely contested. These races highlight the ongoing divide between institutional and progressive Democrats within the party, particularly on issues such as housing and criminal justice.
(With inputs from agencies)