Jamaal Bowman defeated in primary exposing rift among Democrats

Bowman Falls to Latimer in Pricey NY Primary

George Latimer defeated New York Rep. Jamaal Bowman in the most expensive congressional primary in US history, a race that exposed the stark divisions within the Democratic Party over the Israel-Hamas war.

The closely watched campaign devolved into bitter infighting that symbolized larger divisions within the party nationally, a rift that some Democrats worry could damage President Joe Biden’s reelection effort in November.

The congressman is a member of the “Squad,” a group of non-White progressive members of Congress. In recent days, fellow Squad member Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) and progressive Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) campaigned for Bowman. He now becomes the first member of the group to lose reelection. Read More

In Utah, Spencer Cox is the latest Republican governor to fend off a challenge from a rival who sought to portray himself as the more conservative choice. Cox’s victory followed on the heels of Montana Gov. Greg Gianforte’s June 11 GOP primary victory and Rep. Kelly Armstrong’s June 4 nomination for governor of North Dakota over a rival who cast the election as an outsider versus a “career politician.”

In all three states, the more familiar faces won — which shouldn’t be a surprise, said Patricia Crouse, adjunct professor of political science at the University of New Haven. “I always tell people, unless you’ve done something horribly wrong as an incumbent, you’re going to win the election,” she said in an interview. Read More

BIDEN’S SCHEDULE

• The president has no public events.

CONGRESS’ AGENDA

• The House meets at 9 a.m. to vote on the rule governing floor votes on several 2025 spending bills.
• For the full agenda, read BGOV’s Congress Tracker.

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