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Jamaal Bowman, the progressive Democratic congressman from the 16th District in New York is running for reelection. And his campaign is of an enormous national significance.

Yes. Congressman Bowman and his primary opponent, George Lattimer, a conservative Democrat, disagree on many issues. But that is not what makes this campaign uniquely important.

What this campaign is about is whether we can retain any semblance of democracy in the Democratic Party, or whether billionaire funded super PACs will continue to buy elections and dominate the Democratic Party and our entire political process.

What makes this campaign unique is whether members of Congress will be intimidated by big money interests from speaking out on the most important issues facing our society.

As you read this, Jamaal Bowman is getting relentlessly attacked with ads on television and online by AIPAC. They have spent $8 million to defeat him so far, with a pledge to spend up to $20 million if they must.

All this for one congressional seat in a Democratic primary from a group of extremely wealthy individuals who have unlimited amounts of money.

AIPAC and other special interests are spending this money because Jamaal has taken on powerful special interests, and has stood for the working class and lower income families in his district and the country.

Jamaal has taken on the giant insurance companies as he fights for Medicare for All. He has taken on the fossil fuel industry in order to transform our energy system and save the planet. As a former middle school principal, he is passionate about the need to strengthen and adequately fund public education in America. And, at a time of massive income and wealth inequality, he believes that the billionaires and large corporations should start paying their fair share of taxes.

And what has also distinguished Jamaal in recent months is his willingness to call out the right-wing extremist Netanyahu government for the humanitarian disaster they are causing in Gaza. Jamaal understands that Israel had the right to defend itself against the horrific terrorist attack on October 7th which killed 1200 innocent people and took over 200 hostages. But he has made clear that he does not believe that the Israeli war machine has the right to wage all out war against the Palestinian people, killing over 38,000 and wounding over 80,000. He does not believe that the Netanyahu government has the right to destroy the housing stock of Gaza, their healthcare system, their water and electricity systems, or their educational system. Most importantly, he does not believe the Netanyahu has the right to block humanitarian aid coming in desperate areas and allow children to starve or suffer from malnutrition.

And one of the larger questions in this election is this: how many members of Congress will have the courage to take on the insurance companies if an outside group will spend $20 million to defeat them in a primary election?

How many members of Congress will have the courage to take on income and wealth inequality if an outside group will spend $20 million to defeat them in a primary election?

How many members of Congress will have the courage to take on the right-wing extremist Netanyahu government if an outside group will spend $20 million to defeat them in a primary election?

So if Jamaal is to have any chance in this election, he needs our help. We are not going to be able to out-raise AIPAC, but we have shown many times before the impact we can have when we're all stepping up and chipping-in $27 at a time.

Use this link to make a donation to Jamaal Bowman's campaign for Congress. His primary is coming up in just a few weeks and is running out of time to reach voters effectively before the race ends.

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Billionaire participation in elections is nothing new but, every election cycle, they become bolder and more influential. And the elections of 2024 are shaping up to be the most dangerous yet — with progressives often the target.

That’s not democracy. That’s Oligarchy.

Thank you for donating to Jamaal's campaign today.

In solidarity,

Bernie Sanders


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