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Latimer, age 70, announced his campaign in a video posted to social media on Wednesday morning, Dec. 6, in which he said he is "ready to deliver" for constituents within the 16th district.
The 16th district is made up of the southern part of Westchester, including the suburban cities of White Plains, Mount Vernon, Yonkers, New Rochelle, and Rye, and a small portion of the northern Bronx.
"We're all fed up with the chaos and the dysfunction down in Washington," Latimer said in his announcement, adding, "Up here in Westchester to the Bronx, we do things differently. We work together and we get results."
Latimer's official announcement follows months of speculation as he publicly weighed the decision to run against the seat's incumbent, Rep. Jamaal Bowman. His decision to run was all but confirmed after he filed with the Federal Elections Commission on Monday, Dec. 4 to create a committee to raise money for a congressional campaign.
In his official announcement on Wednesday, Latimer, who was elected to a four-year term in 2021, said his accomplishments as County Executive, including rebuilding infrastructure, property tax cuts, police reforms, crime reductions, and environmental protection efforts, would serve as evidence that he is qualified for the seat.
He also commented on Bowman.
"Unfortunately, instead of working for us, our congressman is making news for all the wrong reasons," Latimer said, citing Bowman's votes against a resolution backing Israel and condemning the Hamas militant group, as well as his vote against President Joe Biden's $1.2 trillion bipartisan infrastructure bill.
"He put his own personal politics ahead of progress," Latimer said, adding that the bill could have helped communities in Westchester.
Latimer added that if elected, he would also fight to protect marriage equality and abortion rights.
"I'm running for Congress because it's time for Washington to stop bickering and start working for us. Let's deliver real, progressive results, not rhetoric," Latimer said in his announcement.
The upcoming race between Latimer and Bowman is likely to be affected by their opposing views on the conflict between Hamas and Israel. Bowman has been calling for a cease-fire and has described Israel's bombing of Gaza as "genocide" and "ethnic cleansing," while Latimer has dismissed this view as "premature," according to a New York Times report.
Instead, Latimer believes violence in Gaza should only end after Hamas returns any Israeli hostages and agrees to end violence, the New York Times reported.
According to the outlet, the race will be a "potentially explosive contest" that may reflect current divisions in the Democratic party.
"These are difficult times," Latimer said in his campaign announcement, continuing, "New Yorkers need a Congressmember who will listen to every voice, not just those who agree with him, and who will deliver on the issues that matter."
It is not yet clear who would take over as county executive should Latimer win the primary and general election in November 2024. Latimer was re-elected to a second four-year term as county exec in 2021.
This continues to be a developing story. Check back to Daily Voice for updates.
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