80. Progressive Congressmember Jamaal Bowman loses primary to AIPAC-backed candidate

06/26/24 • 32 min

Yesterday Jamaal Bowman, a member of the so-called Squad of progressive politicians in the U.S. House of Representatives, lost his hotly contested primary election in New York’s 16th District.

This primary race between him and George Latimer broke records as the most expensive primary race for the House of Representatives in U.S. history. Political action committees affiliated with AIPAC, the American Israel Political Affairs Committee, poured over $15 million dollars into the race to boost Latimer’s campaign.

AIPAC and its affiliated groups pledged to spend $100 million during the 2024 election cycle to promote pro-Israel candidates. I spoke to Michael Arria today about the impact of Bowman’s loss and whether AIPAC is really as influential as it claims to be.

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Articles and Links mentioned in the show

Latimer defeats Bowman with $15 million worth of help from AIPAC, Michael Arria
What Jamaal Bowman’s defeat means, Mitchell Plitnick
For opposing genocide, Bowman is framed as antisemitic — by liberal Zionists, Phil Weiss
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Yesterday Jamaal Bowman, a member of the so-called Squad of progressive politicians in the U.S. House of Representatives, lost his hotly contested primary election in New York’s 16th District.

- - - -

Support our work

Help us continue our critical, independent coverage of events in Palestine, Israel, and related U.S. politics. Donate today at https://mondoweiss.net/donate

Articles and Links mentioned in the show

Latimer defeats Bowman with $15 million worth of help from AIPAC, Michael Arria
What Jamaal Bowman’s defeat means, Mitchell Plitnick
For opposing genocide, Bowman is framed as antisemitic — by liberal Zionists, Phil Weiss
Subscribe to our free email newsletters.

Share this podcast

Share The Mondoweiss Podcast with your followers on Twitter. Click here to post a tweet!
If you enjoyed this episode, head over to Podchaser, leave us a review, and follow the show!

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Previous Episode

79. Progressive organizations launch Reject AIPAC to counter the pro-Israel lobby

AIPAC, the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, is on its way to spending over $100 million this election cycle as it looks to punish candidates critical of Israel's genocidal assault on Gaza. Earlier this year a coalition of nearly two dozen progressive groups – including Jewish Voice for Peace, IfNotNow, Justice Democrats, the Democratic Socialists of America, the U.S. Campaign for Palestinian Rights, and the Sunrise Movement – launched Reject AIPAC, an organization aimed at combatting the pro-Israel lobbying group.

Mondoweiss’s U.S. correspondent Michael Arria interviewed Justice Democrats spokesperson Usamah Andrabi about the coalition, AIPAC's election strategy, and two of the biggest primary fights of the summer.

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Next Episode

81. AIPAC is spending big to beat Cori Bush

Last month, pro-Israel centrist George Latimer beat Rep. Jamaal Bowman in the Democratic primary for New York’s 16th district.

The American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) spent $15 million to help secure Latimer’s victory and now they have their sights set on Missouri’s 1st district, where Rep. Cori Bush is facing a primary challenge from prosecutor Wesley Bell.

Bush advocated for Palestinian rights on the campaign trail in 2020, and she’s been strong on the issue as a House member, making her a consistent target of Israel lobbying groups.

Mondoweiss's U.S. correspondent Michael Arria spoke to JVP Action Political Director Beth Miller on Bush’s record, Bell’s politics, and how much AIPAC is spending on the race.

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Support our work

Help us continue our critical, independent coverage of events in Palestine, Israel, and related U.S. politics. Donate today at https://mondoweiss.net/donate

Articles and Links mentioned in the show

They are trying to buy this seat’: Can Cori Bush beat AIPAC?, Michael Arria
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