Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez appeared to blame former progressive Rep. Mondaire Jones for not supporting her fellow New York Democratic Rep. Jamaal Bowman in his primary race.
Ocasio-Cortez republished an article Tuesday from The New York Times which reported Jones’ endorsement of Bowman’s primary challenger, George Latimer. She called on Democrats to unite behind Bowman in her post on social media platform X to ensure he wins his re-election bid.
“Jamaal Bowman has won the support of the entire Democratic Party – from the House leadership and Congressional Black+Progressive caucuses to the labor+ grassroots – because he is a proven, effective and beloved leader. Democratic unity means supporting Bowman. This is how we won in November,” Ocasio-Cortez wrote on X.
In his interview with The New York Times, Jones explained that he could not stand by and do nothing while Bowman became critical of Israel in the midst of its war against the militant group Hamas in Gaza.
“As someone who is among the most popular Democrats in the Hudson Valley, it is my prerogative to play a decisive role in ending this long and painful nightmare that we have been living since Oct. 7,” Jones told The Times, which noted that he plans to make it official his endorsement on Tuesday.
Jones criticized Bowman in his interview, saying “there is nothing progressive about rushing to call a ceasefire in the days following October 7th.”
Many progressives, including Bowman and Ocasio-Cortez, supported a cease-fire resolution in the early days of the Israel-Hamas war.
Other Democrats also criticized Jones for turning against Bowman in his re-election bid, according to Traffic light. Rep. Barbara Lee (D-Calif.) said she was “shocked,” while Rep. Cori Bush (D-Mo.) said it was “disgusting,” Semafor reported.
Bowman said in a statement that he was proud to have “built a strong coalition” together when contacted for comment on the endorsement.
“I will always defend our shared democratic values to serve all the people of this district – especially in the face of right-wing lobbies funded by billionaires who seek to divide us,” he said.
Jones lost his House seat in 2022, but is now running for Rep. Mike Lawler’s (RN.Y.) seat in New York’s 17th election.th congressional district.
The Hill has reached out to Jones’ campaign for comment.
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