The chairman of the New York State Democratic Party callously ignored “The Squad” and was silent about liberal Rep. Jamaal Bowman, just after giving glowing praise to an incumbent politician’s primary opponent.
Chairman Jay Jacobs had nothing but favorable things to say about Westchester County Mayor George Latimer, a moderate who has been gaining ground as Bowman has come under fire for anti-Israel comments and other political gaffes.
“George Latimer would be a great congressman if elected,” Jacobs told The Post on Monday.
But when asked what he thought about Bowman, Jacobs simply said, “No comment.”
Bowman, a former Bronx middle school principal, is seeking a third term in the 16th Congressional District, which covers parts of southern Westchester and the northern Bronx.
“George Latimer is a good friend of mine,” said Jacobs, a moderate and close ally of Gov. Kathy Hockal, who also leads the Nassau County Democratic Party.
He said they have worked together for many years, not only on politics but also on issues important to suburban and urban New York residents.
While Jacobs stopped short of endorsing Latimer, party officials said he has made it clear he is rooting for her to win the June 25 primary.
Last week, Bowman sought and won the endorsement of the anti-Israel, far-left Democratic Socialists of America.
He is also supported by the left-leaning Working Families Party.
Pro-Israel groups – Including the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) – They have poured millions of dollars into the effort to defeat Bowman, including hard-hitting television ads attacking the incumbent.
Mr. Latimer has acted as a strong ally of the Jewish state.
Bowman was filmed in November last year claiming that reports of rape and child murders during the October 7 attack were “lies” and calling Israel an “apartheid” state.
He later retracted his comments after being accused of spreading Hamas propaganda.
During a debate last month, Bowman argued that the phrase “from the river to the sea” is not hateful, even though it is commonly interpreted as calling for the eradication of the Jewish state. Latimer countered that the phrase is commonly understood to be anti-Semitic and genocidal.
Bowman also has the endorsement of fellow Squad member Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, whose Bronx-Queens district borders Bowman’s, and state Sen. Jamaal Bailey, the chair of the Bronx Democratic Party.
Latimer has the support of establishment Westchester Democrats, as well as pro-Israel and Jewish Democrats.
His rhetorical issues and left-wing positions are not the only obstacles the incumbent president must overcome to win a primary.
The Republican-led House of Representatives passed a resolution in December censuring Bowman for setting off a fire alarm in an office building on Capitol Hill on Sept. 30 in an attempt to delay a vote to avert a government shutdown.
He pleaded guilty Oct. 26 to a misdemeanor charge of falsely setting off a fire alarm and agreed to pay a $1,000 fine, claiming it was a mistake.
Bowman is part of an informal group of far-left congresswomen known by their followers as “The Squad,” which also includes neighboring Ocasio-Cortez as well as Reps. Ilhan Omar of Minnesota, Ayanna Pressley of Massachusetts, Rashida Tlaib of Michigan and Cori Bush of Missouri.
The Washington Post reached out to Bowman’s campaign for comment but did not immediately receive a response.
