BREAKING NEWS: Latimer files papers to challenge Bowman for Congress

Westchester County Executive George Latimer today filed with the Federal Election Commission in Washington an “FEC Form 2,” “Statement of Candidacy.” The form declares his intent to run for the House of Representatives from New York’s District 16. The seat currently is held by Rep. Jamaal Bowman, a Democrat.

On the FEC form Latimer states that he is running as a member of the Democratic Party. He would face off against Bowman in a Democratic Primary, with the winner running on the party’s ballot line. On the FEC Form 2, Latimer designates “George Latimer for Congress” with a New York City post office box address to be his principal campaign committee.

Latimer had previously told the Business Journal that if he decided to run for Congress he likely would not make a formal announcement until after the County Legislature had finalized the 2024 county budget, which is likely to happen on Dec. 11.

Latimer has just returned from a trip to Israel with a group that included other Westchester residents. During the trip, Latimer visited a kibbutz that had been attacked by Hamas on Oct. 7. He described the visit as having made a deep impression on him, with destruction that reminded him of what would be seen after a major storm, with buildings destroyed, some burned to the ground and bullet holes in just about every wall.

Bowman has come under sharp criticism from some quarters for his stance on the Israel-Hamas conflict and what is seen by some of his critics as support for the Palestinians rather than Israel. Bowman has been criticized for having boycotted a speech to Congress by Israel’s President Isaac Herzog. When Latimer was in Israel, he met with Herzog.