Jamaal Bowman Loses Primary to Israel-Backed Challenger
Moderate Democrat's Victory Seen as Referendum on Progressives' Stance on Israel
Bowman, a member of the 'squad', was defeated by a challenger backed by pro-Israel groups
Jamaal Bowman, a progressive Democrat who represents a suburban New York district, lost his primary race on Tuesday to a moderate challenger who was backed by pro-Israel groups. The result is seen as a referendum on the progressive movement's stance on Israel, and it could have implications for the future of the Democratic Party.
Bowman was elected to the House in 2020 after upsetting Eliot Engel, a powerful incumbent Democrat. Bowman is a member of the "squad," a group of progressive House lawmakers who have been critical of Israel's treatment of Palestinians. His challenger, Assemblyman Vedat Gashi, is a more moderate Democrat who has supported Israel in the past.
The race was closely watched by national Democrats, who saw it as a test of the progressive movement's strength. The pro-Israel community also invested heavily in the race, spending millions of dollars on ads attacking Bowman.
In the end, Gashi defeated Bowman by a margin of about 55% to 45%. The result is a setback for the progressive movement, and it could make it more difficult for other progressive candidates to win elections in the future.