Mondaire Jones and Jamaal Bowman, who made history as the first Black men to represent New York’s Westchester County in Congress, are now in conflict over the Israel-Hamas war. Jones has vowed to help defeat Bowman in the Democratic primary on June 25 and endorse George Latimer, their opponent. This division reflects the broader trend of the Middle East conflict creating divisions within the Democratic Party this election year. Outside spending by pro-Israel interest groups in support of Latimer has transformed the race.
Jones’s decision to distance himself from Bowman may also be influenced by his own political ambitions. After losing his House seat in 2022, he is now running in a swing district to unseat a Republican representative. By aligning with Latimer, Jones may be trying to win over Jewish voters and other moderates in the district. His endorsement is seen as a way to provide a shield for Latimer against accusations of racism, particularly in a district with significant Black and Jewish populations.
Both Jones and Bowman rose to prominence in 2020, running campaigns against long-serving incumbents and gaining support from left-leaning Democrats and progressive figures like Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. Bowman, a former middle-school principal, took a more antagonistic stance towards the party establishment compared to Jones, who aligned himself more closely with party leadership. The conflict over Israel has now brought their differences to the forefront.
Since the outbreak of the war, Bowman has been a vocal critic of Israel in Congress, calling for a cease-fire and accusing the nation of genocide in Gaza. Jones has criticized Bowman’s positions, pointing out his alignment with the Democratic Socialists of America and their support of a pro-Hamas rally. Jones refrained from labeling Bowman’s statements as antisemitic but expressed concern over their impact on the Jewish community.
Despite accusations of racism, Latimer has garnered support from a number of prominent public officials, including former Congressman Eliot Engel and various state lawmakers. Jones’s endorsement is seen as a way to counter these accusations and to show diverse support for Latimer’s candidacy. Meanwhile, Bowman continues to enjoy support from labor unions, Ocasio-Cortez, and top House Democratic leaders.
Both candidates are positioning themselves as the best choice for the district, with Latimer emphasizing his broad base of support and Bowman painting himself as an independent voice fighting against corporate and special interests. The endorsement of Jones has added another layer of complexity to an already intense political showdown, highlighting the ways in which the Israel-Hamas conflict is reshaping Democratic politics at a local level.
