NEW YORK — Accusations of racism and lying marked the final TV debate between Democratic Rep. Jamaal Bowman and his primary opponent George Latimer.
The men are facing off in what’s now the most expensive House primary ever, one that has laid bare the divisions within the Democratic Party over the war in Gaza.
Mutual animosity between Latimer, the Westchester County executive, and Bowman, a two-term lawmaker, has been a throughline in the TV forums during the primary. The Tuesday evening debate on PIX11 was no different.
Here are four takeaways:
Bibi on blast
Bowman does not agree with the invitation extended to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to address Congress — putting him at odds with Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, two fellow New Yorkers.
“It sends the wrong message and it’s not what we should be doing at this time,” Bowman, an Israel critic, said.
Opposing Netanyahu’s appearance before Congress highlights Bowman’s deep antipathy over how the Israeli government has conducted the war in Gaza since the Oct. 7 Hamas attacks. And it’s an issue where Bowman and Latimer have the most daylight.
The American Israel Public Affairs Committee and its super PAC, which has dropped more than $14 million into TV ads blasting Bowman.
Latimer said he would attend the July speech by Netanyahu if he were a sitting member of the House. But Latimer, who has refrained by straying too deeply into Israeli politics, also said he disagreed with Netanyahu’s criticism of President Joe Biden.
Joementum
Biden has publicly steered clear of this primary. But both candidates are eager to invoke his name — and their support for a president whose poll numbers have been middling even in deep blue New York.
Latimer in the debate called recent reporting and questions surrounding the 81-year-old president’s abilities “an ageist argument.” Biden has a “message that he can bring to the American people,” he added.
Bowman has disagreed with Biden’s support of Israel during the war. But on Tuesday night Bowman urged Democrats to unite behind Biden and especially encourage young voters to support the president.
“The Democratic Party needs to circle the wagons so he can win in November,” Bowman said.
Very Trumpy
Bowman accused Latimer of taking money from Trump donors. Latimer knocked Bowman for having a Trumpian personality.
AIPAC, the prominent pro-Israel group which has spent heavily to oppose Squad members like Bowman, is “funded by racist MAGA Republicans,” Bowman said.
Latimer rebuffed that and pointed to AIPAC’s backing of Jeffries, Reps. Ritchie Torres and Grace Meng — all Democrats.
For his part, Bowman “acts like Mr. Trump every chance he gets,” Latimer said.
Lies and racism
Bowman accused Latimer’s campaign of sending mailers that have darkened his skin and for not taking an “anti-racist approach” to issues like housing and reparations for slavery. Latimer’s donors are trying to silence him, Bowman said.
“I’m an outspoken Black man,” Bowman said during the debate. “His supporters don’t want that, because it challenges their power.”
It’s a theme Bowman has hammered throughout the campaign in a district that includes a mix of affluent suburban enclaves and diverse urban neighborhoods.
Pushing back, Latimer tried to paint Bowman as a liar early in the debate, doing so three times within the first half hour.
Bowman needs “a lie detector” and has “cornered the market on lies,” Latimer said. He accused Bowman of “fabrication” in order to “hold onto his seat in Congress.”
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