The Congressional Progressive Caucus PAC announced Thursday that it has revoked its endorsement of former Rep. Mondaire Jones, D-N.Y., after he backed the primary challenger of Rep. Jamaal Bowman, a prominent Progressive Caucus member and fellow Black New York Democrat. Bowman has faced criticism over his stance on Israel.
The New York Working Families Party also withdrew its financial and organizational support for Jones, citing his recent endorsement and asserting that he has “strayed from the values and principles that made us proud to support him in 2020.”
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In response Jones said, “I have no regrets about standing up for what I firmly believe in,” Jones said in a statement responding to the Progressive Caucus’ rebuke. “I have known and worked with George Latimer for years.”
“Rep. Bowman and I have very different views on Israel,” Jones continued. “I have been horrified by his recent acceptance of the DSA endorsement, his denial of the sexual assault of Israeli women by Hamas on October 7, and his rush to call for a ceasefire before Israel could hardly begin to defend itself against the worst assault on Jews since the Holocaust.”
This move is notable for the Progressive Caucus, which typically embraces a broad, inclusive approach to expanding its membership and generally avoids enforcing strict ideological criteria, much to the frustration of some left-wing allies.
“A number of factors led to the Congressional Progressive Caucus PAC rescinding the endorsement of Mondaire Jones,” stated the PAC’s executive director, Evan Brown, adding that the decision was unanimously made by the PAC board.
The caucus’s campaign arm has been heavily involved in supporting Bowman, initiating an ad campaign for him last week. Bowman holds a leadership position within the CPC as vice chair for labor.
Bowman is engaged in a heated Democratic primary against George Latimer, the executive of Westchester County, where the conflict in Gaza has emerged as a pivotal issue. Bowman has criticized U.S. financial support for Israel, claiming it contributes to atrocities, while Latimer has maintained his support for the Jewish state.
The June 25 primary is a significant battleground in the broader conflict between the Democratic mainstream and the insurgent left, which aims to defend Bowman, who unseated a 16-term pro-Israel incumbent in 2020.
Jones, who was also elected in 2020 during a wave of progressive activism, ran on platforms like Medicare for All, the Green New Deal, and defunding the police. Alongside a colleague, he became one of the first openly gay Black members of Congress in history.
After losing re-election in 2022, Jones is now seeking a return to Congress. He is the leading Democratic candidate aiming to challenge Rep. Mike Lawler, R-N.Y., considered one of the more vulnerable Republicans in the upcoming election.
