Purpose of the ‘Voter Education Center’ is to advise Republican- and Independent Party-registered Jews on how to register as Democrats so they can vote for George Latimer (photo, left), and not for Jamaal Bowman (photo, right), in the coming June 25 congressional primary.
By Tony Aiello | CBS News New York – Jan. 31, 2024
NEW ROCHELLE, N.Y. — An unusual voter drive in Westchester County has begun recruiting Independents and Republicans to re-register as Democrats.
It’s the latest twist in what’s shaping up to be a hard-fought primary contest from now until June 25 between [incumbent Democrat] Congressman Jamaal Bowman and [incumbent Democrat] County Executive George Latimer.
With the snip of a red ribbon, a “Voter Education Center” run by Jewish groups was opened in New Rochelle on Wednesday.
The center’s focus is on convincing thousands of Independents and Republicans to switch to the Democrat Party so they can vote for Latimer and not Bowman in the June 25 congressional primary.
The Democrat winner of the June 25 race will face off against a yet-to-be announced Republican candidate in the general election on Nov. 5.
“I really want people to come out and vote in the Democratic primary,” volunteer Aria Fried said.
“This race is going to be decided in the primary. We want to make sure that the Jewish community leverages its voice in a meaningful way and gets educated on that fact and knows how to maximize their effect on the outcome of the election,” said Dan Mitzner of the group Westchester Unites.
For legal reasons, Westchester Unites says it can’t tell voters whom to support, but it’s clearly an effort to boost Latimer, who’s running as being much more supportive of Israel, as opposed to Bowman, who is demanding a ceasefire and has accused Israel of genocide in Gaza.
During his recent campaign launch, Bowman criticized the pro-Israel lobbying group AIPAC, which is supporting Latimer. His campaign said, “Latimer has held fund-raisers with Republican Trump donors and has relied on allies calling on Republicans to vote in the primary election.”
Back in New Rochelle, Rabbi Evan Hoffman, of the Westchester Rabbinical Board, said, “We’re hopeful and we’re confident that the outcome will be positive for our community.”
Supporters believe encouraging Independents and Republicans to re-register as Democrats could help decide the race. The clock is ticking. The re-registration process must be complete by [end-of-day] Feb. 14.
Several progressive Jewish organizations are backing Congressman Bowman, but the influential Jewish group ‘J Street’ recently pulled its endorsement, citing Bowman’s rhetoric about the Israel-Hamas war.
Tony Aiello serves as a CBS2 general assignment reporter with a focus on covering news and breaking stories in the Northern Suburbs.First published on January 31, 2024 / 6:27 PM EST© 2024 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.