Democratic Primary Debate Goes Off the Rails as Rep. Bowman Accuses Opponent of Calling Him an ‘Angry Black Man’

Rep. Jamaal Bowman (D-NY) and his Democratic primary challenger George Latimer threw down Monday night in a tense debate ahead of the June 25th primary in which Bowman is under threat over his strong criticisms of Israel during its war against Hamas in Gaza.

Bowman and Latimer sparred over everything from Latimer accusing Bowman of receiving financial support from Hamas supporters to the highly contentious phrase “from the river to the sea.” Bowman, a “squad” member who has joined with hardright members of Congress like Reps. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) and Thomas Massie (R-KY) in voting against aid to Israel, also came under fire for his temperament.

“He’s an ineffective congressman,” Latimer declared at one point.

Bowman interjected, “Why? Because I raise my voice.”

“People here understand passion. They know that we need passion in this moment. You need to go to Washington and play nice with Marjorie Taylor Greene,” Bowman added.

“No, you vote with her. So why shouldn’t you play nice with her?” Latimer hit back to laughter from the audience.

Bowman and Latimer spoke over each other as the latter eventually said, “Here’s the point. And I’d like to make it. Madam moderator, without his interruption. When you work on a legislative body, you need to form coalitions with people. You need to have their respect. You need to talk to them as normal people. You can’t preach and scream at them on the steps of the Capitol, okay? He’s ineffective as a congressman for this very reason.”

The moderator attempted to regain control saying, “Gonna have a lot of disappointed viewers if I don’t rein this in.”

Bowman interrupted declaring, “The angry Black man, the angry Black man.”

“Let’s stay on topic please,” pleaded the moderator.

‘It’s the Southern strategy in the North!” Bowman insisted as the moderator again said, “Let’s stay on topic please.”

Bowman has gained national attention both for his boisterous personality and willingness to hold public debates with his colleagues and for having pulled a fire alarm in the U.S. Capitol as members were going to vote. The House eventually censured Bowman for the stunt, which he claimed was an honest mistake, despite video later being made public of him calmly taking down warning signs on blocked exit doors noting that a fire alarm would signal if doors are opened before eventually pulling the alarm.

Watch the clips above.