WHITE PLAINS, NY — Voters in the Bronx and Westchester County decided the 16th Congressional District race between Rep. Jamaal Bowman and Westchester County Executive George Latimerand it wasn’t close.
Latimer defeated the two-term congressman in a closely watched Democratic primary, the most expensive in history.
“Our current Congresswoman did not fit the district and our new Congresswoman is a perfect fit for the district,” said Assemblywoman Amy Paulin.
CBS New York caught up with the winner Wednesday morning in White Plains.
“This wasn’t a victory where there’s any ambiguity about what the majority of people felt. He made a point of saying he has the many and the money. Well, it turns out I had the many,” Latimer said.
Latimer’s position on Israel helped him
Latimer has broadly supported Israel since Hamas’ attack on October 7 and has even visited the country.
“Israel is a country that has the right to exist,” Latimer said during the campaign. “Ultimately, if there is to be peace in the region, there has to be a two-state solution, which means, you know, an Arab state on the side. But there has to be a willingness for the players on both sides to commit to peace and, You know, honestly, Jamaal had a different attitude about that.”
Many Latimer voters said they were motivated by Bowman’s harsh criticism of the way Israel is fighting Hamas. By one estimate, voter turnout in the Jewish community approached 60%.
“A lot of interest in the race. Even before Oct. 7, there was dissatisfaction with Jamaal Bowman representing us in Congress,” said Jeff Levin of Scarsdale.
Bowman’s past has hurt him
Local critics say Bowman was good at making headlines. such as the fire alarm incidentfor the wrong reasons.
But many say he misread the district by embracing left-wing politics.
“We are going to ruin the country if we let it become a debate between the far left and the far right,” Latimer said.
Latimer said he promises a laser focus on the sharing services. Critics say Bowman never built an effective staff to help residents with Social Security and other federal issues.
“He hasn’t responded to it, nor has his staff,” said Deputy County Administrator Ken Jenkins.
Jenkins said elections are ultimately a referendum on the sitting president.
“It’s a soul search to go back and see why things happen, and it’s not blaming someone else. It’s really looking in the mirror,” Jenkins said.
Tony Aiello
