Rep. Jamaal Bowman‘s (D-NY) reelection campaign has drawn a new foe, targeting him by saying he’s too far left to represent some black voters.
The National Black Empowerment Action Fund donated half a million dollars to better fund Bowman’s opponent for New York’s 16th Congressional District. More money is expected from the group in the coming weeks.
“We could have stayed out of it, but the need was too great, the sense of urgency was too high,” Darius Jones, founder of the group, told Politico.
Jones is an American Israel Public Affairs Committee alum and has previously served as the national African American constituency director for AIPAC. AIPAC has strongly supported Bowman’s primary challenger, George Latimer, Westchester County executive.
“We’re trying to champion an effort to help amplify the voices of black voters who are focused on safe communities, good-paying jobs, driving down the cost of living, having school choice for their kids, healthcare and just realizing better life outcomes,” Jones said. “And it’s going to take responsible leadership that’s keenly focused on those priorities as opposed to far-flung ideologies and agendas.”
Jones told the outlet he thinks African Americans should rethink how they “romanticize” some Black elected leaders and noted the donation was not necessarily an endorsement.
“It’s time to begin to hold those folks accountable for their actions in office,” he said, “and to not be so taken by their soaring rhetoric.”
Bowman has been under fire from the Jewish community in his district in recent weeks due to his especially critical comments about Israel’s actions in the Israel-Hamas war. Jewish people make up a sizable population of Westchester County, which could help Latimer.
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According to an April poll, Bowman was trailing Latimer by 17 points. 52% of those polled said they would support Latimer in the primary over the 35% who backed Bowman for reelection. The poll also found that 60% of the district had a favorable view of the United States sending more aid to Israel.
New York’s primary election is on June 25.
