Westchester County Executive George Latimer has told the Business Journal that contrary to items appearing Nov. 8 on the internet and in some news media, he has not yet decided whether to challenge Rep. Jamaal Bowman for Congress in a primary next year.
Bowman represents New York’s 16th Congressional District that includes the middle and lower parts of Westchester along with the Northern Bronx.
In an interview with the Business Journal on the night of Nov. 8, Latimer said that he anticipates reaching a conclusion in his decision-making process about running for Congress by mid-December and would make a formal announcement at that time.
“I’m looking at the options and I’m trying to analyze a lot of different options,” Latimer said. “I’ve run for office 17 times. I know how to run a race and I know when to run a race and under what circumstances. I’m not shy. I know how steep the hill is. Before you launch you really need to know every element of it. That’s the choice that’s ahead of me.”
Some of the urging for Latimer to run has come from members of the Westchester Jewish community who have been unhappy with Bowman’s stand on Israel. In particular, Bowman has been criticized for not attending a speech given to a joint session of Congress by Israel’s President Isaac Herzog, opposing a House resolution declaring that Israel is not a racist state and recently calling for a cease-fire in the fighting between Israel and Hamas, which is counter to the position taken by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Bowman also attracted attention recently when he pulled a fire alarm in a government office building when there was no fire.
Latimer said that the matter of whether to run against Bowman takes a back seat for the next few weeks due to the Nov. 9 release of the county’s new operating budget and a planned group trip to Israel for a few days that will include other local officials and people from Westchester.
“What happened on Oct. 7 has changed things. The issues that relate to Israel are more pointed now,” Latimer said. “I’m a strong supporter of Israel. We have to stand with Israel. That doesn’t mean we give them a blank check for whatever they do, but this is a moment that we’re seeing a rise in antisemitism.”
Latimer said that while the situation between Israel and Hamas has grabbed the headlines, it is not the only issue that must be dealt with by those serving in Congress.
“The discussion is more than just the policies of Israel,” Latimer said. “It has to do with economic policies and how do you put your time and effort into creating jobs and housing and things that the district really needs.”
Latimer said that he has been very clear about needing to keep his focus on his daily responsibilities as county executive. He said that he expects it will take the County Board of Legislators until Dec. 11 or 12 to finish its budget review.
“By mid-December I’ll be on the record officially in whatever direction I’m going,” Latimer said. “When you look at the political trends it really has to be localized. In Westchester County the Democrats have had strong results in seven consecutive elections. I think what we’ve proven at the county level of government is that we care about actually governing, not just making rhetorical statements. When you look at the way the county is managed, the way White Plains, Yonkers, New Rochelle and the villages are managed they’re well governed. Crime is down in Westchester. We’ve moderated our taxes. When you produce results you get electoral success.”
Latimer said that the House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate have been unable to function as effectively as they need to in part because both the far-right and far-left have been engaging too heavily in histrionics and showmanship.
“That stuff is anathema to me because I didn’t get into government to make bombastic speeches,” Latimer said. “I got into government to see if we can make government work and you need to see that happen.”
