Rep. Ritchie Torres (D-NY) criticized Rep. Jamaal Bowman (D-NY) for leading a spirited and profanity-filled rally on Saturday, saying Bowman’s “erratic rant” is not how a member of Congress should behave.
“The level of profanity here is shocking and unbecoming of a member of Congress,” Torres said. I said it with X“Jamaal Bowman’s outrageous accusations bear no resemblance to the decency of the people I know and represent in the South Bronx.”
Bowman’s re-election rally took place alongside Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT), who represented the progressive wing backing Bowman as he faces a tough primary.
The primary has focused on US-Israel relations, with Bowman a critic of the Israeli government and his opponent, Westchester County Mayor George Latimer, a supporter of the government who has received significant funding from the Israeli political advocacy group AIPAC.
“We’re going to show AIPAC the power of the f**king South Bronx,” Bowman said at the rally. “You ask me why I’m being abusive, but what can I do? You’re coming after me! You’re coming after my family! You’re coming after my children! Shouldn’t I fight back?”
“We’re going to show them who we are!” he added, bouncing around the stage.
Bowman’s primary split Democrats and progressives, with former Rep. Mondaire Jones (D-N.Y.) endorsing Latimer in what other progressives saw as a betrayal of the incumbent. Hillary Clinton is another prominent Latimer supporter.
Torres’ criticism also reflects a divide with House progressives. He quit the House Progressive Caucus earlier this year over differences on Israel policy. He has not endorsed anyone in the race but had previously publicly threatened to support Latimer.
Member of Parliament He told Axios last week He has a principle of not speaking out against Democrats who don’t speak out against me.
“However, Mr. Bowman’s unfair attacks on my character may cause me to reconsider this rule. Stay tuned for developments,” he said.
