Former NY Rep. Jamaal Bowman Appeals for Financial Aid to Settle Campaign Debts

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In a desperate plea for financial assistance, ousted Representative Jamaal Bowman is reaching out to supporters, framing himself as a victim following his contentious and ultimately unsuccessful primary battle against Westchester County Executive George Latimer. The election, marked by its record-breaking expenditure, has left Bowman grappling with significant campaign debts.

 

The race, which has gone down in history as one of the most expensive House primaries, saw Bowman spend millions in a bid to retain his seat. His campaign, bolstered by high-profile surrogates, attracted both attention and controversy, particularly due to the support he received from individuals who publicly praised Hamas. Despite these efforts, Bowman was unable to secure victory, largely due to the substantial financial opposition he faced from the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC), which poured $14.5 million into the campaign to unseat him.

 

 

"AIPAC spent more money against us than any other House primary – ever. I was public enemy number one, and they spent almost twenty million dollars to stop us," Bowman lamented in an email sent to his supporters on August 14. The soon-to-be former member of the left-wing House 'squad' expressed the financial strain his campaign is now under, saying, "But that puts us in a bit of a predicament right now. After tallying up the spends, we’re ‘in the red.’ It would be an incredible help to our team if you could help us retire our campaign debt by chipping in a few dollars now."

 

The extent of Bowman’s financial woes remains unclear until his next official filing. However, Federal Election Commission (FEC) records reveal that his campaign was heavily spending in its final days, including more than $1.3 million on television and digital advertising in June alone. Bowman’s total expenditure for the race exceeded $5.3 million, while Latimer’s campaign spent more than $5.6 million.

 

As of July, Bowman's campaign reported over $373,000 in cash reserves but also noted debts exceeding $141,000, according to the most recent FEC filing.

 

Not everyone is sympathetic to Bowman’s financial predicament. Mark Mellman, president of the nonprofit Democratic Majority for Israel, expressed satisfaction with the outcome of the primary. "I’m glad Bowman was defeated. I am sorry [his campaign is] broke. But it’s only his fault and the fault of his campaign," Mellman remarked.

 

Political insiders note that campaign debts are not unusual, particularly as consultant bills and fees often accumulate after the election. "People often think that everything is paid before Election Day. It never happens that way," commented one Democratic consultant, adding, "Often times consultants send invoices after the election."

 

Bowman, who previously served as a principal at a Bronx school he founded, was first elected to Congress in 2020. However, his political career took a sharp downturn following a scandal in September 2023 when he pulled a fire alarm in a Capitol office building, later claiming he mistakenly thought it would open a door. The incident led to a misdemeanor charge, a $1,000 fine, and a formal censure by the House.

 

Bowman’s troubles are not isolated within the progressive wing of the Democratic Party. His colleague and fellow squad member, Representative Cori Bush, also suffered a primary defeat, losing to Democratic challenger Wesley Bell.

Despite multiple requests, Bowman has not provided any comment on his current situation. As he faces the end of his political career, his focus now appears to be on settling the financial burdens that have emerged from one of the most expensive and politically charged races in recent history.

 

Credit: NYP  2024-08-18

 

 

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