Bowman Acknowledges Muslim Communities Beyond District in Concession Speech

In a striking concession speech following his primary loss, Rep. Jamaal Bowman (D-NY) expressed gratitude for the support he received from Muslim communities, notably outside his district, in San Francisco and Dearborn, Michigan.

Bowman, who recently accused his Democratic rival George Latimer of race-baiting, highlighted the significant backing from these communities. “You don’t understand what the Muslim community specifically did in this race. The Muslim community from Yonkers to San Francisco to Dearborn, Michigan,” Bowman stated.

Weeks prior, during a heated debate, Latimer suggested Bowman was prioritizing support from areas with large Arab-American populations over his own district's interests in the Bronx and Westchester County. “When you get as much money as you get from outside the district, your constituency is Dearborn, Michigan. Your constituency is San Francisco, California,” Latimer claimed. Bowman labeled this comment an “Islamophobic dogwhistle” on social media.

“I love our Muslim and Arab neighbors in NY16 just like I love our Jewish, white, and Black neighbors here and across the country,” Bowman responded. “I’m fighting for all of us.”

CNN host Abby Phillip pressed Latimer on his remark during an interview after his campaign, backed by pro-Israel groups, won the primary for New York’s 16th Congressional District. Latimer defended his statement, clarifying, “It’s not a dogwhistle of anything. He had a major fundraiser in California. He raised more money in California in the last report than he made from New York.” He added that Bowman’s joint fundraising committee with Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-MI), whose district includes Dearborn, was a geographic, not demographic, reference.

Bowman's decision to commend Muslim communities outside his district during his concession speech sparked some backlash on social media. National Review Online Editor Phillip Klein remarked, “He hates that Jews in his own district live in tight-knit communities but Muslim communities in other parts of the country are praiseworthy.”

Despite the controversy, Bowman’s speech underscored his commitment to diverse communities, reflecting his broader political and social advocacy throughout his term.

Share this article or subscribe to our newsletter for more updates on elections and political developments.