By Servet Gunerigok
WASHINGTON (AA) - New York Rep. Jamaal Bowman was defeated in a Democratic primary election by George Latimer, marking the first loss for a member of the House of Representatives’ progressive "Squad."
The outcome in the state's 16th congressional district on Tuesday is seen as a triumph for pro-Israel groups, which supported the Westchester County executive, who is 70, with unprecedented campaign spending, CNN reported.
The race was the most expensive House primary on record. The New York Times said pro-Israel political groups pumped record-shattering money into defeating Bowman, according to AdImpact, an ad tracking firm.
Bowman won his seat in 2020 with a primary challenge to oust moderate longtime incumbent Eliot Engel, who was a pro-Israel advocate.
Latimer reportedly entered the race at the urging of pro-Israel groups, whose campaign mostly focused on Bowman’s statements regarding the Israel-Palestine conflict.
He criticized Bowman for advocating a permanent cease-fire between Israel and the Palestinian resistance group, Hamas, and for opposing arms shipments to Israel, said The Hill news website.
The pro-Israel lobby group, American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC), congratulated Latimer on his victory against “an anti-Israel detractor."
"This triumph by a strong pro-Israel candidate represents a major victory for the Democratic mainstream that stands with the Jewish state and a defeat for the extremist fringe," it wrote on X.
According to the Times, pro-Israel groups, including AIPAC and the Democratic Majority for Israel, issued a clear warning to critics like Bowman following the Oct. 7 attacks by Hamas against Israel.
"Moderate your views or prepare for stiff political opposition," said the newspaper, which added the results demonstrated that it was "no idle threat."
It also said pro-Israel groups spent more than $16 million to defeat Bowman.