Wisconsin should be ‘of concern’ for Biden because of Gaza, says progressive Democrat

Rep. Jamaal Bowman (D-N.Y.) said the administration’s response to the war in Gaza will make it difficult for young people in Wisconsin to support President Biden.

“Yes, because we’ve always had a problem engaging voters of color, young people and certain demographics,” Bowman told MSNBC’s Ayman Mohyeldin when asked Sunday if the protest vote against Biden in last week’s primary in Wisconsin should concern Biden.

“It’s going to be harder now because of how we respond — have pretty much not responded very well to what’s happening in Gaza,” he said.

In the Wisconsin primary last week, nearly 50,000 Democrats cast their vote for an “uninstructed” delegation instead of Biden over his administration’s response to the unfolding war in Gaza.

“And so yes, it is a cause for concern, and that’s why it’s encouraging to see some of the organizing happening across the country. And hopefully this continues to push the president in the right direction to call and get a permanent cease-fire and the suffering, bringing that humanitarian aid and create a pathway to peace right away,” Bowman added.

The protest vote is backed by progressive groups that have criticized Biden’s response to the Israel-Hamas war, which hit its six-month mark over the weekend. Mohyeldin noted that Biden carried Wisconsin in 2020 by about 20,000 votes, and the “uninstructed” contingent in the 2024 primary garnered about 48,000 voters.

“The President believes making your voice heard and participating in our democracy is fundamental to who we are as Americans. He shares the goal for an end to the violence and a just, lasting peace in the Middle East.  He’s working tirelessly to that end,” Biden campaign spokesperson Lauren Hitt said in a statement about the “uninstructed” vote.

Wisconsin is one of several states that former President Trump, the presumptive GOP presidential nominee, is targeting in November.

Biden, who has faced repeated criticism from voices on the left over Israel and Gaza, has amped up his criticism of Israel in recent weeks, especially in the wake of the killing of seven international aid workers by an Israeli airstrike last week.

Former Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) and more than 30 House Democrats sent a letter to Biden and Secretary of State Antony Blinken last week urging the administration to put conditions on military aid to Israel. Bowman, one of the Democrats to sign the letter, said Sunday he expects more lawmakers to demand an immediate cease-fire.

“It’s 37 lawmakers responding to the American people; the majority of the American people demand a permanent cease-fire. We see what’s going on right in front of our eyes, we see hundreds of thousands of children and people starving to death in Gaza,” he said.

The Hill has reached out to the Biden campaign for comment.

This story was updated at 6:45 p.m.