Latimer Defeats Bowman After Record Super PAC Spending

Bowman conceded Tuesday night. The former Bronx middle school principal won his House seat in 2020 by defeating Eliot Engel, whom the source describes as an AIPAC favorite. In his concession speech, Bowman said voters should be outraged that a “super PAC of dark money” could spend $20 million to “brainwash people into believing something that isn’t true.” The $20 million figure was Bowman’s characterization; the Sludge analysis put UDP’s spending at $14.5 million.

Bowman, a prominent House critic of Israel’s assault on Gaza, also said that calling for “Free Palestine” was not antisemitic. He apologized for using foul language at a rally over the weekend, adding, “we should not be well-adjusted to a sick society.”

Alexandra Rojas, executive director of Justice Democrats, which recruited Bowman in 2020, said the spending reflected the threat he posed to right-wing interests and AIPAC’s influence. She said her group was turning its attention to Rep. Cori Bush’s August 6 primary against Wesley Bell, the St. Louis County prosecuting attorney, whose campaign is backed by AIPAC and Republican donors. Rojas also cited AIPAC’s pledge to spend $100 million this year to unseat members of the progressive “Squad.”

Emgage, a PAC focused on mobilizing Muslim American voters, said Bowman’s defeat set “a dangerous precedent” for outside groups seeking to influence local elections. Axios reported Wednesday that some House Democrats were privately criticizing the spending; one unnamed lawmaker told the outlet, “The number is gross... I don’t like it.” Sunrise Movement executive director Aru Shiney-Ajay warned Democrats that the race could alienate young voters and voters of color.

Other progressive House members had different primary outcomes. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez won more than 80% against investment banker Marty Dolan; available disclosures showed no spending by AIPAC’s super PAC in that race. Rep. Summer Lee had also defeated a primary challenger earlier in the year. AIPAC did not spend in Lee’s race after failing to defeat her in 2022.