Is Jamaal Bowman's primary defeat the beginning of the end for DC's Squad?
The congressman ran the most expensive House primary in US history but it wasn't enough
Rep. Jamaal Bowman (D-N.Y.) will soon be out of a job. The incumbent congressman lost New York's 16th District primary last Tuesday to challenger George Latimer, who will carry the Democratic Party's banner into the general election this November. Bowman was ousted by double-digit margins following the most expensive primary in the history of the House of Representatives.
Bowman was one of the most liberal members of Congress as a part of the progressive "Squad," a group that includes notable names like Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) and Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.). But he was besieged by controversies over his views on the war in Gaza, which some perceived as antisemitic, as well as an incident in which he falsely pulled a fire alarm on Capitol Hill. Bowman's defeat makes him the first person in the Squad to lose their reelection bid this cycle, giving rise to questions regarding the fate of other members of the Squad and how they may fare in their own elections.
What did the commentators say?
Bowman defeated a 16-term incumbent in 2020 in a stunning upset, but now the "Democratic establishment in the Empire State and beyond has struck back," said Eric Garcia for The Independent. This shows that "even when progressives vote largely in line with the establishment and even when they can sometimes pull off shockers while the establishment is napping," the Democratic Party "lacks the infrastructure to protect their leaders, particularly when they have vulnerable incumbents."
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
The primary was the most expensive in House history largely because of efforts to oust Bowman from pro-Israel groups like the American Israel Public Affairs Committee. But his stance on Israel "only accounts for one reason why AIPAC and pro-Israel groups targeted him," said Garcia. Most of AIPAC's ads "did not focus on his support for Palestinians or his criticism of Israel," but instead targeted his "no" vote against President Joe Biden's infrastructure bill.
Indeed, Bowman's problems "can't be attributed to one thing," said Nia Prater for Intelligencer. Beyond his personal controversies, Bowman "lost the majority-Black community Wakefield and had the Co-Op City housing development returned to his district while the Westchester County portions of the district were largely untouched."
But whatever the true reason for his loss, Bowman's ousting "drove home an unmistakable reality: Even at a moment when the war in Gaza has re-energized progressive activism, many of the left's candidates are no longer gaining ground in major races, and in some cases they have started losing it," said Jesse McKinley and Nicholas Fandos for The New York Times. Moderate Democrats that are more closely aligned to Biden seem to be "regaining their footing, often by explicitly positioning themselves to the right of their Democratic opponents on immigration, foreign policy and public safety." The outcome of Bowman's election has "left progressives on the defensive," and allies were "at odds over who was to blame and how — if at all — their movement needed to change its message and confrontational style to meet a different moment in American politics."
What next?
The next test of the Squad's strength is likely to occur during the Aug. 6 Democratic primary in Missouri's 1st District. Rep. Cori Bush, another well-known member of the Squad, will look to defend her seat, but polls show Bush in a "horserace that is seeing some of the same factors — opposition to Israel; strife with Biden; and non-ideological fumbles," said USA Today. Bush's challenger, St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney Wesley Bell, has "positioned himself as more moderate than her on a host of issues."
Despite Bowman's loss, it "may be difficult for moderate forces to gain wider momentum this year against left-wing Democrats, many of whom are heavily armored against primary challenges," said Politico. Notably, both "Bush and Bowman have been weighed down by serious political weaknesses that set them apart from other progressives — and make them far more vulnerable to groups like AIPAC." While these kinds of lobbying groups are "going after candidates with baggage, they're skipping other races where their investments might not make much of a difference." So Bowman's loss "could prove to be effective fodder as progressives ramp up their attacks against AIPAC," but it will seemingly depend on the individual races in question.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Justin Klawans has worked as a staff writer at The Week since 2022. He began his career covering local news before joining Newsweek as a breaking news reporter, where he wrote about politics, national and global affairs, business, crime, sports, film, television and other Hollywood news. Justin has also freelanced for outlets including Collider and United Press International.
-
Today's political cartoons - October 19, 2024
Cartoons Saturday's cartoons - fact-checking, the vibe economy, and more
By The Week US Published
-
5 bopping cartoons about dancin' Donald
Cartoons Artists take on Trump's favourite tunes, presidential playlists, and more
By The Week US Published
-
Salem's Lot: Stephen King adaptation is 'half-baked' thriller
Talking Point The latest adaptation of this 1975 novel has left many critics feeling underwhelmed
By The Week UK Published
-
Is 2024 the podcast election?
Today's Big Question The Trump and Harris campaigns are turning to alternative media to reach voters
By Joel Mathis, The Week US Published
-
What is Lammy hoping to achieve in China?
Today's Big Question Foreign secretary heads to Beijing as Labour seeks cooperation on global challenges and courts opportunities for trade and investment
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
'The next US president should rethink the program in its entirety'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
Is Trump okay?
Today's Big Question Former president's mental fitness and alleged cognitive decline firmly back in the spotlight after 'bizarre' town hall event
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Pentagon grants ousted LGBTQ vets full benefits
Speed Read The new ruling will apply to more than 820 LGBTQ veterans
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
US says Israel must up Gaza aid or risk arms halt
Speed Read The Biden administration has provided a 30-day ultimatum to the country
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Georgia judge suspends new hand-count ballot rule
Speed Read The rule would have required three poll workers in every precinct to hand-count votes
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
'McMahon finally seems to be paying a small price for his transgressions'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published