Goodbye, Rep. Jamaal Bowman?

Dr. Munr Kazmir
6 min readJun 24, 2024

Antisemitism has no place in New York or anywhere else in America.

Rep. Jamaal Bowman speaks at an event on Capitol Hill. September 21, 2023. (Photo: Global Engagement)

In 2020, Congressman Jamaal Bowman (D-NY16) was swept into Congress on a wave of popular sentiment. A political newcomer, Bowman defeated longtime New York Congressman Eliot Engel in a shocking and successful primary challenge.

Rep. Eliot Engel (D-NY), who represented New York’s 16th Congressional District for over three decades, was well known for his progressive stances and unwavering support for healthcare, education, and environmental protection. Engel championed initiatives that measurably benefited his district during his tenure, including significant infrastructure improvements and increased federal funding for local projects.

In addition, Engel’s key role as Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee highlighted his dedication to international diplomacy and human rights.

Engel, who had served in Congress for 32 years, was defeated by Jamaal Bowman, a progressive educator and first-time candidate in 2020 after Bowman’s campaign gained significant support from progressive groups and capitalized on a broader push within the Democratic Party for new leadership and more progressive policies.

At the time, Engel’s primary loss was seen as a reflection of shifting political dynamics and growing demand for change among…

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