Hillary Clinton Endorses Rep. Jamaal Bowman's Primary Challenger

Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on Wednesday endorsed George Latimer’s Democratic primary challenge against U.S. Rep. Jamaal Bowman in New York, a rare foray into primary politics that signals the extent of establishment discontent with Bowman.

Bowman’s vocal opposition to Israel’s invasion of Gaza following Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack on the country — an invasion that Bowman has dubbed a “genocide” — has made him a top target of pro-Israel constituents, outside groups, and local elected Democrats with more moderate leanings.

“With [Donald] Trump on the ballot, we need strong, principled Democrats in Congress more than ever,” Clinton tweeted in reference to the GOP presidential candidate, adding that Latimer “will protect abortion rights” and “stand up to” the National Rifle Association.

Latimer, the executive of Westchester County, welcomed the endorsement from Clinton, a former Democratic presidential nominee, calling it a “deep honor.”

“Her voice gives even more momentum to our grassroots campaign, which keeps gaining strength because we stand strongly and honestly for our values and for our belief in delivering meaningful results for the communities we serve,” he said in a statement.

Latimer is hoping to unseat Bowman in the Democratic primary in New York’s 16th Congressional District, a solidly blue seat encompassing lower Westchester County, just north of New York City, and a sliver of the northern Bronx.

Latimer led Bowman by 17 percentage points in an Emerson College/PIX11/The Hill poll out Tuesday — the first poll of the race not conducted by a campaign or an allied outside group. The nod from Clinton, a resident of Westchester County — albeit one in the adjacent 17th Congressional District — could help