NEW YORK (AP) -- George Latimer defeated congressman Jamaal Bowman, who represents parts of Westchester County and the Bronx, on Tuesday in a Democratic primary.
With the victory, Latimer has ousted one of the most liberal voices in Congress and one of its most outspoken critics of Israel.
Latimer is a former state legislator who has served as Westchester County executive since 2018.
Bowman had been seeking a third term, representing a district in New York City’s northern suburbs. His defeat is a blow to the party’s progressive wing and a potential cautionary tale for candidates trying to shape their messaging around the Israel-Hamas conflict.
Latimer will be the prohibitive favorite to win in the general election. The district, which includes parts of Westchester and a small piece of the Bronx, is a Democratic stronghold.
Latimer, 70, got into the race at the urging of Jewish leaders upset with Bowman’s criticism of Israel.
The American Israel Public Affairs Committee’s political action committee spent nearly $15 million on the primary, filling airwaves and mailboxes with negative ads in an effort to unseat Bowman, who has accused the influential pro-Israel lobbying group of trying to buy the race.
Some major progressive figures have rushed to Bowman’s defense. In the final stretch of the race, he rallied with liberal darlings Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Sen. Bernie Sanders, while Latimer pulled in the endorsement of former presidential candidate Hillary Clinton.