Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton threw her weight behind “Squad” member Rep. Jamaal Bowman’s primary challenger less than two weeks from primary night.
Clinton, 76, lauded Westchester County Executive George Latimer as a “principled” Democrat, making no mention of political fallout over the Israel-Hamas war which has loomed large over the bruising matchup.
“With Trump on the ballot, we need strong, principled Democrats in Congress more than ever. In Congress, @LatimerforNY will protect abortion rights, stand up to the NRA, and fight for President Biden’s agenda—just like he’s always done,” Clinton posted on X.
“Make a plan to vote by June 25th!”
Bowman, 48, is locked in the fight of his political life against Latimer. A recent Emerson College Polling/PIX11/The Hill survey pegged Latimer with a sizeable lead over Bowman 48% to 31%.
It’s not fully clear what kind of impact Clinton’s endorsement will have.
Hazel Dukes, president of the state chapter of the NAACP, said “Bill and Hillary Clinton are still popular in the Democratic Party” but didn’t think it would move the needle one way or the other in the Bowman-Latimer race.
“It’s about everyday issues. The economy, inflation. They’re intelligent voters,” she told The Post.
“Of course, you want to get Hillary’s endorsement. It’s a net positive for Latimer. It hurts Bowman politically,” ex-Rep. Max Rose (D-NY) told The Post. He said the race is still a dogfight.
One factor that has dominated the pitched battle between Bowman and Latimer is the Israel-Hamas war. Bowman was an early proponent of a ceasefire and has implied that a genocide is unfolding in the Gaza Strip.
Latimer, by contrast, has been supportive of Israel and routinely chastised Bowman for his rhetoric, such as his defense of the phrase “From the river to the sea” — generally interpreted as a call to eradicate the Jewish state.
The Westchester County Executive enjoys the backing of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, something Bowman has groused over.
Bowman has also been under fire for a number of controversies, including pulling a fire alarm last year during a tense scene in Congress over government funding.
Last October, the Bronx and Westchester Rep. pleaded guilty to a single misdemeanor count for willfully setting off that alarm.
Some of Bowman’s eyebrow-raising past comments have also resurfaced and triggered fresh controversies.
The battle over New York’s 16th congressional district comes amid a broader trend of Democratic primary challenges against members of the so-called “Squad.” The 16th district is generally seen as the most competitive.
Clinton, a former New York senator who has been no stranger to primary proxy wars with allies of her old 2016 Democratic foe Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), has not shied away from ripping into progressive critics of Israel.
“I have had many conversations with a lot of young people over the last many months. They don’t know very much at all about the history of the Middle East or frankly about history in many areas of the world, including in our own country,” Clinton told MSNBC’s “Morning Joe” last month.
She has also defended President Biden against blowback he has received from some corners of the progressive movement.
Meanwhile, her old rival Sanders, 82, has hailed Bowman’s progressive bona fides.
“AIPAC, funded by right-wing billionaires, supports extremist Republican candidates. They will spend $100m against progressives this year, including $25m against @JamaalBowmanNY. Democrats must unite against this Super PAC. I look forward to joining Jamaal & @AOC in New York,” the longtime Vermont senator posted on X.
Bowman has the backing of House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY). It is typical for congressional leaders to back incumbents, even in tight races.
The primary contest is slated to take place on June 25. The Post has contacted Bowman’s campaign for comment.
