Poll: Squad’s NY Rep. Bowman down 17 points to challenger backed by pro-Israel groups

A new poll indicates New York Democratic Rep. Jamaal Bowman — a member of the progressive “Squad” of lawmakers who has become increasingly critical of Israel — is down by 17 points to his challenger in the primary election, Westchester County Executive George Latimer.

The poll was commissioned by the Democratic Majority for Israel, which has endorsed Latimer in the race to represent New York’s 16th district. The more left-leaning Jewish Democratic Council of America is also backing Latimer.

The poll shows Latimer leading Bowman 52% to 35% among Democratic primary voters. That lead grows to 21% when only Democrats who voted in the last three of four primaries are surveyed. The poll was conducted by veteran Democratic pollster Mark Mellman, who heads DMFI.

To be trailing this significantly more than two months ahead of the election is typically a bad sign for incumbents.

But Bowman’s campaign spokesman Bill Neidhart dismissed the survey as “junk,” noting that Mellman had incorrect polls in the 2020 race when Bowman ousted longtime pro-Israel stalwart Rep. Elliot Engel.