Rep. Ayanna Pressley (D-Mass.) on Wednesday endorsed Jamaal Bowman, who is waging a primary challenge to Rep. Eliot Engel (D) in New York’s 16th District.
Pressley is just the latest progressive to throw their support behind Bowman, a middle school principal who has seen a surge of support in his bid against Engel in the lead-up to the June 23 primary, with signs indicating the 16-term incumbent may be on his heels.
“We need leaders like Jamaal Bowman in Congress now more than ever. As a 20-year public school educator in New York, Jamaal knows what it means to build community and fight for those too often left out and left behind. In Congress, Jamaal will continue to advance bold solutions — fighting to end mass incarceration and working to actualize the People’s Justice Guarantee,” said Pressley.
“Jamaal will be relentless in his commitment to universal health care, affordable housing, and environmental justice. He will never forget who he represents or who he is accountable to — the people. I’m so glad to endorse Jamaal for Congress, and I look forward to working with him in Congress to achieve bold, progressive change,” she continued.
Bowman has already received endorsements from Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) and Sens. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.).
The New York progressive is posing one of the stiffest primary challenges Engel has faced since he was first elected to the House. Engel has come under a flood of scrutiny over his absence from his district amid the coronavirus pandemic, particularly after he was heard saying on a hot mic at an event that he cared more about a speaking opportunity because he is facing a primary challenge.
A new poll also shows Engel trailing Bowman by 10 points just a week before the primary.
Still, Engel has the support of high-profile Democrats including Speaker Nancy Pelosi (Calif.) and former presidential nominee Hillary Clinton. He has a beefier campaign bank account than Bowman and he has seen his profile rise as chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, which played a key role in President Trump’s impeachment.