Independent, Republican, and unregistered voters in Westchester County, New York, to register as Democrats ahead of the Democratic Congressional primary between “Squad” member Rep. Jamal Bowman and pro-Israel candidate George Latimer. FOX News Digital Programs has learned from mail carriers that they are urging people to do so.
“Community and family transcend politics,” Westchester Unites, a Westchester County group that advocates “community over party,” said in an email to local voters. “Especially when anti-Semitism is on the ballot.”
Posters are calling on voters to “combat” anti-Semitic hatred by “making our voices heard”.
“But you can only do so if you are registered as a Democrat by February 14th,” one of the mailers obtained by FOX News Digital shows.
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A mailer sent to voters in Westchester County urged Republicans and independents to register as Democrats ahead of U.S. Rep. Jamaal Bowman’s primary challenger George Latimer. . (Fox News Digital)
Although the email was targeted at voters in Bowman’s district, it also targeted Democratic opponents of Bowman and Latimer, the current Westchester County executive who is campaigning for Congress on a pro-Israel platform. is not mentioned.
“Why are you changing your registration?” a text message from the group reviewed by Fox News Digital asked. “This is because this district is overwhelmingly Democratic, which means that the next member of Congress will basically be determined by the Democratic primary.”
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Bowman is seeking re-election this year, but his candidacy has been controversial over comments from some voters and the public. Viewers accused him of being anti-Israel.. The Bowman area includes the southern suburbs of Westchester County and parts of the Bronx, and is home to a large Jewish community.
A mailing was sent to voters in Westchester County urging Republicans and independents to register as Democrats ahead of the 2024 primary election. (Fox News Digital)
Members of the “squad” called for a cease-fire in the immediate aftermath of the war between Israel and Hamas, boycotted Israeli President Isaac Herzog’s speech to Congress this summer, and did the same when Rep. Pramila Jayapal was criticized for her comments. He has been criticized for defending MPs. Israel is a “racist country”. Bowman also said that late last year, an event aimed at spreading “healing” amid anti-Semitism turned into protests demanding that members of Congress represent the Jews of their districts when making policy decisions. I saw it develop.
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Bowman has repeatedly accused anti-Semitism in previous criticism of his statements and condemned Hamas’ attack on Israel when the war began on October 7.
Congressman Jamal Bowman (D-N.Y.) speaks at the National Action Network’s three-day annual national convention on April 7, 2022 in New York City. (Spencer Pratt/Getty Images)
The New York congressman also caused controversy earlier this fall when he set off a fire alarm in the House of Representatives before lawmakers voted to avert a government shutdown. He pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge of setting off a fire alarm.
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Mr. Latimer, who has 35 years of experience in New York politics, was quoted as saying in July when local headlines reported that New York Jewish organizations and Democratic Party donors were meeting with county leaders to test the waters. In the summer, he emerged as a likely candidate to take on Bowman. For potential execution.
Mr. George Latimer, Executive Officer of Westchester County, New York. (Westchester County)
Latimer announced his candidacy in December, pitching himself to voters as a candidate who, if elected to Congress, would “listen to all voices, not just those who agree with me, and deliver on important issues.” .
The group that sent mailers and texts to local Republicans and independents urging them to change parties was organized by a group called the Teach Action Fund, according to the New York Post.
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Dan Mitzner told Fox News Digital that the group is not specifically targeting Republicans and independents in the district, but is working to ensure all Jewish residents and independent voters are registered. He said he was there.
“This comprehensive and empowering voter education and mobilization program is a first for this district and comes at a critical time,” Mitzner, Teach Action Fund’s political director, said in a statement provided to Fox News Digital. stated in a press release.
“The reality is that there has been an alarming increase in anti-Semitic rhetoric and incidents that are threatening the Jewish community here at home,” Mitzner added. “It is imperative that the next members of Congress we elect are concerned about the safety and well-being of our Jewish community and all of our neighbors.”
A “Vote Here” sign is placed at the polling place. (Reuters/Emily Elkonin)
Mitzner added that only 15% of Democrats voted in the party’s 2022 primary, which he said is “bad for the district, bad for democracy, bad for the country, bad for accountability.”
Just this week, the Westchester Unites opened a voter education office in New Rochelle where voters can visit for information and assistance with registering and voting absentee, according to a press release.
Westchester Units ribbon cutting ceremony. (Education Action Fund)
“We are investing six figures in the first phase of this campaign and will not hesitate to ensure that as many voters as possible have a voice between now and the June primary. The stakes are too high for communities on the “sideline” to participate in elections, the press release states.
Mr. Bowman’s campaign pushed back against efforts to register Jewish Republicans and independents as Democrats, saying it was an effort to improve Mr. Latimer’s chances in the primary.
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“George Latimer has hosted fundraisers sponsored by Trump’s mega-donors and has welcomed Republican-funded super PACs into this race. “It’s not surprising that we’re asking for votes in this election,” campaign spokesperson Bill Neihart told the News. York Post. “George Latimer has abandoned the Democratic Party and voters across the district are deeply disappointed.”
The race between New York Democrats is already extremely intense, and a close race is expected. Bowman defeated three-term incumbent Eliot Engel in his first bid for the House seat, in one of the biggest upsets of the 2020 Democratic primary. Latimer, on the other hand, has long established roots in the region as a political leader and has defended his record. That in his career he has never lost an election.
Neither camp responded to Fox News Digital’s requests for comment.
