During a heated debate with his primary opponent on Tuesday night, New York Rep. Jamaal Bowman suggested the pro-Israel lobby was targeting him because he’s an “outspoken black man.”
The debate was the final televised showdown between Bowman and Westchester County Mayor George Latimer before next week marks the culmination of the most expensive House primary in U.S. history.
Throughout the rally, the progressive Democrat repeatedly attacked the nonpartisan American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC), accusing it of operating as a right-wing organization that has endorsed Latimer and whose campaign arm has poured millions of dollars into her election.
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Rep. Jamaal Bowman is fighting for his political life in a highly-watched primary election on Tuesday. (Nathan Howard/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
“The majority of his money comes from right-wing Republicans who support Trump,” Bowman said of Latimer.
“They’ve spent more on this primary than any other PAC in the history of the United States,” he said, without naming AIPAC.
“Why? Because I’m an outspoken person of color. I’m an outspoken black man. I’m against genocide in Gaza and I’m fighting for justice here,” Bowman said, adding, referring to Latimer, “And his supporters don’t want that, because it would challenge their authority.”
Fox News Digital has reached out to Bowman’s campaign to clarify whether her comments were specifically targeted at AIPAC.
Latimer countered that not only are groups like AIPAC endorsing him, but so are people like House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.), Rep. Ritchie Torres (D-N.Y.) and Rep. Gregory Meeks (D-N.Y.), the ranking member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, none of whom are white.
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Westchester County Mayor George Latimer is endorsed by AIPAC. (Lev Ladin/Pacific Press/LightRocket via Getty Images)
“The support that they and I have from individuals is because we support the state of Israel. He’s against it because he’s anti-Israel, hostile to Israel,” Latimer said. “I’ve never changed my position because of campaign finances. Not ever.”
“Just because you have a few black friends doesn’t make you an anti-racist organization,” Bowman responded.
“He continues to name black people as if AIPAC and its supporters are racist,” Bowman said.
Mr Latimer has previously called accusations of racism against him “bullshit”.
In his closing statement, Bowman again named AIPAC, saying, “I offer servant leadership and work with the American people, while my opponent is the epitome of political big money. He receives billions of dollars from the right wing of the Republican Party to serve them and AIPAC.”
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During the debate, Latimer pushed back against Bowman’s criticism of AIPAC, pointing out that the party has also endorsed House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (pictured). (Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images)
In his closing statement, Councilman Latimer emphasized his decades of involvement in local New York politics, adding, “Who do you trust? Who do you think has your interests first?”
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A recent poll conducted by debate organizers Pix11 in partnership with Emerson College and The Hill showed Latimer leading Bowman 48% to 31%.
If he wins the June 25 primary, Latimer will be the first moderate Democrat to defeat a member of the left-wing “Squad.”
