Bowman’s Bitter Primary Battle
In 2020, Rep. Jamaal Bowman won his seat after a primary election. In 2024, he is in danger of losing a primary election.
In general, primaries are frowned upon by both major political parties — for good reason.
With the U.S. almost evenly divided between Republicans and Democrats, members of both parties need all their campaign resources to beat each other at the general election ballot box.
Tapping campaign war chests and donors to fight intraparty battles, therefore, is considered wasteful and counterproductive.
There are exceptions, however.
After over 30 years in office, former Rep. Eliot Engel lost his seat in 2020 to a political newcomer in an upset election that shocked political analysts and media observers.
Riding a tide of popular sentiment, Jamaal Bowman promised to breathe new progressive life into New York’s District 16. Running on a platform of equity, social justice, and criminal justice reform, Mr. Bowman triumphed in 2020.
And just like that, Rep. Eliot Engel (D-NY16) was out; Rep. Jamaal Bowman (D-NY16) was in.
Rep. Bowman triumphed again in 2022, winning reelection easily. Many things have changed since then. Polling tides have turned suddenly and sharply against Bowman.