Rep. Jamaal Bowman, a member of the progressive “squad” in the House, lost his primary challenge to George Latimer, a more moderate Democratic candidate. The key issue in their contest was their differing views on the Israel-Hamas War, with Bowman criticizing Israel’s actions during the conflict. The American Israel Public Affairs Committee spent millions against Bowman, giving substantial donations to Latimer’s campaign. Latimer also criticized Bowman for controversial incidents, including pulling a fire alarm on Capitol Hill. The defeat of Bowman is seen as a setback for the squad, a group of progressive lawmakers who gained prominence during the Trump administration. However, other squad members like Rep. Summer Lee and Rep. Rashida Tlaib have successfully defended their seats. Rep. Cori Bush is facing a tough primary challenge, with AIPAC supporting her opponent. Limited polling shows Bush trailing her opponent. The defeat of Bowman highlights the ongoing tensions within the Democratic Party over issues related to Israel and progressive politics.
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