Candidates Offer Vastly Different Versions Of Pre-Debate Scuffle

WESTCHESTER COUNTY, NY — Two of the most prominent Democrats in Westchester County politics are trading allegations of dirty tricks and undisclosed allegiances. Now, the war of words appears to have turned physical.

Incumbent 16th Congressional District Rep. Jamaal Bowman is fighting for his party's nomination against a fierce challenge from current Westchester County Executive George Latimer in a sometimes heated primary battle that will be decided on June 25.

Early Monday afternoon, just hours before the airing of the candidates' first scheduled debate, Bowman released a statement accusing the Latimer campaign of battering and throwing to the ground one of his supporters at a public event. The Latimer campaign quickly countered, releasing a statement calling the incident "a stunt from Bowman agitators."

"Outside the first debate, one of our supporters was violently thrown to the ground while attempting to ask George Latimer a question," the incumbent Representative said. "I’m grateful our supporter wasn’t more severely injured, but this occurrence is deeply shameful. It is not lost on me that in this race my opponent tried to portray me as an angry Black man, while attempting to divide Democratic voters by our differences. But my campaign has always been rooted in peace and love, and we will keep working to come together and build a world of peace, safety, and democracy for all. That must rule the day, and division and violence on the campaign trail must be condemned by all candidates."

The Latimer campaign said the incident was incited by supporters sent by the Bowman campaign to create a scene as the Westchester County Executive made his way into the debate. The campaign said that the instigators posed as Latimer supporters, going as far as to hold up "George Latimer for Congress" signs.

The campaign said as they approached Latimer, one grabbed hold of his hand in what appeared to be a handshake and refused to let go in what appeared to be an attempt to interfere with Latimer entering the debate. When Latimer staff intervened, the campaign says the troublemaker shifted gears and reacted "dramatically."

The Latimer campaign went on the offensive, turning the tables and accusing the Bowman campaign of encouraging violence.

“We urge Bowman to be transparent about his involvement in today's stunt," the Latimer campaign said in a statement released Monday evening. "Did he hire professional campaign provocateurs? Did he then instruct them to dramatically misrepresent the events to the media? How much were these young people paid to be exploited for political gain? The reality is, the situation could have led to serious injuries. Inciting violence is unacceptable behavior for a sitting member of Congress or any candidate on the ballot. We are demanding to know the truth about what occurred today."