Staunch anti-crypto candidate Jamaal Bowman, a representative for New York’s 16th congressional district, lost his state’s primary election Tuesday night to Westchester County executive George Latimer amid growing political tensions over digital assets.
Jamaal Bowman Loses To George Latimer In NY Primary Election
Official results showed that 58% of voters in the district supported Latimer, while Bowman received 41%.
WASHINGTON (AP) — George Latimer wins Democratic nomination for U.S. House in New York's 16th Congressional District, beating incumbent Jamaal Bowman.
— philip lewis (@Phil_Lewis_) June 26, 2024
“This race was never about me and me alone. It was never about this district and this district alone,” Bowman reportedly said in a speech shortly following the election results. “It was always about all of us. Now our opponents, not opponent, may have won this round at this time, in this place. But this will be a battle for our humanity and justice for the rest of our lives.”
Bowman, who has received support from the likes of Senator Bernie Sanders (D-VT), Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY), and Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), had previously received flack from members of the crypto community for his stance toward digital assets.
Bowman voted against the largely bipartisan-backed Financial Innovation and Technology for the 21st Century Act (FIT21) last month, a bill that would see increased regulatory responsibility over digital assets delegated to the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC).
The now ousted congressman also voted against a since vetoed resolution in May that would have effectively disavowed the United States Securities and Exchange Commission’s (SEC) controversial staff accounting bulletin, SAB121.
I saw an announcement that Jamaal Bowman had won renomination.
Turned out, it was a false alarm. pic. .com/5KZPCm66bj
— Max (@MaxNordau) June 26, 2024
However, Bowman may be mostly known for pulling a fire alarm during a September 2023 government funding bill vote in the House of Representatives, prompting a House ethics panel investigation amidst Republican lawmakers’ claims that he intentionally obstructed voting proceedings.
The internal investigation was dropped after Bowman pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge last October and formally censured by his colleagues over the incident in December.
Crypto Super PAC Fairshake Runs $2 Million Ad Campaign Against Bowman
Last week, the crypto super PAC Fairshake launched a $2 million ad campaign against Bowman, accusing him of promoting dangerous conspiracy theories.
“Jamaal Bowman fought against setting clear rules for the crypto and blockchain industry, and tonight he’s looking for a new job,” Fairshake spokesperson Josh Vlasto said. “The crypto and blockchain community will continue to support candidates who believe in innovation and job creation and who reach across the aisle to get things done.”
An estimated 88.4% of votes in New York’s 16th congressional district had been counted as of writing.