Rep. Hakeem Jeffries phones in last-minute robocall for on-the-ropes Jamaal Bowman
New York’s top congressional Democrat is phoning in support for embattled “Squad” Rep. Jamaal Bowman.
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries recorded a robocall praising the controversial Bowman as “a public servant who fights for economic justice and in defense of historically underrepresented communities,” a source familiar with the move told The Post.
But the last-minute robocall came as too little, too late for some lefty supporters of Bowman, who faces a well-heeled challenge in Tuesday’s primary from Westchester County Executive George Latimer.
Jeffries, other than the robocall and an endorsement in March, has done little else to help Bowman’s campaign, critics said.
“The outcome of this election is a reflection on his leadership and whether Hakeem Jeffries stood up to Republican megadonors spending $17 million against NY-16’s first Black congressman or whether he let Donald Trump’s biggest donors win,” said Usamah Andrabi, a spokesperson for Justice Democrats, according to a Punchbowl News report.
“The outcome of the special election in NY-03 where Tom Suozzi defeated a MAGA Republican to flip a red seat and turn it blue is an actual reflection on the leadership of Hakeem Jeffries,” Jeffries spokesperson Christie Stephenson said in a statement.
“He is focused on taking back the House, and that is how he will be judged. The so-called Justice Democrats stated back in 2017 that their goal was to destroy the Democratic Party, and they laughably threatened to primary Hakeem Jeffries when he first became Caucus Chair,” she added.
“They have failed miserably in every way. Is anyone surprised?”
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The robocall was first reported by the New York Times.
The 11th-hour show of support came amid sustained criticism of Bowman’s stance on Israel, notably denying that Hamas terrorists committed rape and child murder during the Oct. 7 terror attack — for which he has since apologized.
Jeffries acknowledged a strong disagreement with Bowman on the US-Israel relationship to a reporter with The Forward, a Jewish outlet. He said he’s committed to support incumbents.
“However, that doesn’t mean I agree with the positions that are articulated and will never shy away from continuing to stand strong and articulate the views that I have,” Jeffries said.