Jun 3, 2020 - Politics & Policy

AOC endorses Jamaal Bowman over Rep. Eliot Engel for NY House seat

Ursula Perano

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) on Wednesday endorsed Jamaal Bowman over incumbent House Foreign Affairs Committee Chair Eliot Engel (D) for New York's 16th congressional district.

Why it matters: Bowman, if elected, would end Engel's 16-term career in Congress, much like Ocasio-Cortez concluded former Rep. Joe Crowley's 10-term streak as a New York congressman in 2018. AOC's endorsement holds weight with young, progressive voters.

The New York primary is scheduled for June 23.
Ocasio-Cortez also noted in her tweet that she will be rolling out a list of follow on endorsements Thursday.

Between the lines: The backing comes one day after Engel was caught on a hot mic at a news conference on the nation's mass protests, saying if he "didn't have a primary, [he] wouldn't care."

Engel has faced criticism for choosing not to return to his home district during the COVID-19 pandemic, which rattled New York City.

Editor’s note: This article has been corrected to state that Engel has served 16 terms, not four as previously stated.

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AOC endorses Jamaal Bowman over Rep. Eliot Engel for NY House seat

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