Jamaal Bowman, George Latimer trade barbs at Democratic congressional primary debate. Here's the latest on the nasty battle.
NEW YORK -- One of the nastiest, priciest elections of the 2024 national campaign season is taking place right here in the Tri-State Area.
In the 16th Congressional District, Jamaal Bowman is defending his seat against a June 25 Democratic primary challenge from George Latimer, the Westchester County executive.
It's a campaign that will determine the kind of Democrat voters in the district, which includes the Bronx and southern Westchester, will send to Washington -- uber-liberal Bowman or the more moderate Latimer.
Monday night's debate closely watched across nation
Two-term Rep. Bowman has been trying to paint Latimer as a Trumper, while the Westchester County executive has called the congressman an extremist.
From the start of Monday night's debate, the sparks flew between the two.
"He's ineffective as a congressman for this very reason that you've just seen," Latimer said.
"The angry Black man!" Bowman responded sarcastically, throwing up his arms.
The race is one of the most closely watched Democratic House primaries in the country, in part because national issues have become local ones, like what to do about the border crisis.
"What is missing is more FEMA support and more humanitarian support, and more judges and social workers and lawyers to help process those who are coming in," Bowman said.
"You need an overhaul of our system. It requires a bipartisan effort to do it. It has to be Republicans and Democrats in both houses," Latimer said.
College campus protests over the Israel-Hamas war was also a major topic. The candidates were asked if the phrase "From the river to the sea" is hate speech, and/or about eradicating the state of Israel.
"I know some do. Others don't. I do not," Bowman said.
"I think it is hate speech," Latimer said.
Bowman was asked about an incident on Capitol Hill when he pulled a fire alarm during a contentious government funding debate, and was fined and censured.
"As soon as I pulled the fire alarm I immediately said it was an accident, which it was, and I immediately took responsibility for it," Bowman said.
"When he pulled the fire alarm, he said it was an accident. Did you see the video? The video shows him walking in with purpose," Latimer said.
The attacks have been coming from multiple angles
As CBS New York's Marcia Kramer reported earlier Monday, the race has gotten so ugly and mean spirited that Bowman is trying to convince voters that lifelong Democrat Latimer is a Republican supported by people in the corner of the presumptive Republican presidential nominee.
"Donald Trump's mega donors are funding the attacks on Congressman Jamaal Bowman, bankrolling his opponent," one Bowman ad says.
If you put much stock in a poll by the Democratic Majority for Israel, which supports Latimer, Bowman is currently trailing by 17 points. That may explain the frantic attempt by Team Bowman to paint Latimer as a Trump supporter. One flyer claims Latimer is funded by pro-Trump billionaires, while another one claims he's tied to far-right anti-abortion groups.
Latimer has been hitting back.
"Here's the deal: I used to be for Jamaal Bowman but not anymore. Bowman put his extreme ideology ahead of us. One of only six Democrats to oppose the historic infrastructure bill just to stick it to President Biden," a Latimer ad says.
What the candidates say are the important issues
CBS New York caught up with both men Monday prior to the debate to find out what they think are the most important issues to voters.
"I think the domestic issues that affect the lives of people who live in this district are most important -- affordable housing, job opportunities, climate change as a general issue for most people, certainly protecting key rights like a woman's right to choose," Latimer said.
After greeting supporters, Bowman said, "Reducing gun violence in the district is number one. Number two is inequality and racial injustice."
What voters say are the important issues
CBS New York spoke to several voters on Monday. They highlighted many of the typical issues that crop up seemingly every election season, including taxes, the economy, equal rights, the environment, and the deficit.
One woman, however, brought up an issue which may very well be on the minds of many.
"Integrity. Do we have any candidates with that? Not a criminal. Do we have any candidates for that?" she said.
Interestingly, the war in the Middle East wasn't top of mind for the voters who spoke to CBS New York, even though demonstrations continue across the country.
For the record, both candidates were invited to appear on Kramer's Sunday talk show, "The Point." Bowman declined.