Mondaire Jones is losing support from progressive groups

In a rare move, several progressive political groups withdrew their support for former Rep. Mondaire Jones (D-NY) after he selected to not support fellow Black Democrat Rep. Jamaal Bowman over Bowman’s criticism of Israel.

Both the Congressional Progressive Caucus PAC and the New York Working Families Party withdrawn annotations, in addition to Jones’ financial and organizational support on June 6, as reported. The groups consider Jones “has moved away from the values ​​and principles that made us proud to support him in 2020.”

“Many factors led the Congressional Progressive Caucus PAC to withdraw its endorsement of Mondaire Jones,” said PAC Executive Director Evan Brown.

Brown added that the move “was a unanimous decision by our PAC board.”

Jones first appeared on the political scene after being elected in 2020 following an influx of progressive activists following the death of George Floyd. Being certainly one of the primary openly gay black members Congressional Jones supported Medicare for All, the Green New Deal and opposed police funding. His reign was short-lived after losing his 2022 re-election bid, but he is currently searching for a second term against Republican Mike Lawler (R-N.Y.).

After Jones made headlines for supporting Bowman’s opponent, George Latimer, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) tweeted after retweeting the article, calling on Democrats to unite. “Jamaal Bowman has earned the support of the entire Democratic Party – from House leadership and the Congressional Black and Progressive Caucuses to Labor and the people – because he is a proven, effective and beloved leader,” she wrote.

“Democratic unity means supporting Bowman. This is how we win in November.”

Progressive Caucus Chair Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.) also rejected Jones’ decision, calling it “appalling” and believing his selection is “politically advantageous.”

“Honestly, I’m just disgusted by it,” Jayapal said. “He is his former colleague, an incumbent member who is our highest priority candidate, an incumbent for us in the Progress Club.”

She continued by stating that the group “stands firmly behind Jamaal Bowman” and can do “everything we can to help Jamaal win.”

Meanwhile, Jones appears to have “no regrets” about his decision to support Latimer because, he says, he “has known and worked with George Latimer for years.” Jones expressed the various viewpoints he has from Bowman, especially regarding Israel.

“I am dismayed by his recent acceptance of DSA support, his denial of the sexual assault of Israeli women by Hamas on October 7, and his haste to call for a ceasefire before Israel struggles to defend itself against the worst attack on Jews since the Holocaust,” he said. “There is nothing progressive about rushing to call for a ceasefire in the days following October 7.”

He also said he felt it was his “The privilege of playing a dispositive role in ending this long, painful nightmare that we’ve got been experiencing since October 7,” he says.

Many other Democrats jumped in to defend Bowman, including Republican Barbara Lee (D-Calif.) and Republican Cori Bush (D-Calif.), who was “appalled” by Jones’ decision, calling it “disgusting.”