Powerful House chair Eliot Engel defeated by progressive newcomer Jamaal Bowman in stunning upset

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

WASHINGTON – Rep. Eliot Engel, a powerful House committee chair who served decades in Congress, was defeated by a political newcomer in a stunning upset showing the power of the progressive wing of the Democratic party, according to the Associated Press.

More than three weeks after polls closed in the the New York primary, Jamaal Bowman was officially declared the winner Friday over incumbent Engel, who chairs the House Foreign Affairs Committee – ending a 30 year career in Congress.

"The numbers are clear, and I will not be the Democratic nominee for the 16th Congressional District seat in the fall election," Engel said. "Serving the people of the Bronx and Westchester in Congress has been the greatest privilege of my life, and what a remarkable 32 years it has been."

Engel's defeat at the hands of a progressive candidate who is also a person of color comes at a moment when racial justice is at the forefront of the national conversation. It also comes as progressives were looking for a win after the disappointment of Sen. Bernie Sanders ending his bid for president earlier this year.

https://www.yahoo.com/news/powerful-house-chair-eliot-engel-155305800.html

[murielm99]

1. That is such a shame.

The so-called progressives are still trying to sabotage our party. They lose most of these primary challenges, fortunately.

We need good, experienced people like Engle. It will take a long time to put our country back together. Novices will not get the job done.

[Bettie]

4. So, what rules would you like to put up about primaries?

No one is allowed to challenge a sitting congressperson?

Fact is, if his constituents were happy with him, he would have won.

[murielm99]

7. Where did I say anything about rules?

Stop putting words in my mouth.

I am sorry to see a good liberal Democrat lose to someone with no experience.

[Bettie]

13. And yet, if his constituents were happy with his

representation, they'd have kept him.

No one has experience when they start, but Mr. Bowman has had administrative and negotiation experience and seems to be pretty smart. He'll be up to speed before long.

I'm tired of hearing that we should never change congresspersons ever.

There was wailing and gnashing of teeth when it was even suggested that someone challenge Dan Lipinski, who was a Republican in all but name.

New doesn't mean bad and frankly, new people shake things up and energize voters (obviously, given Bowman's win).

[Thekaspervote]

38. It's disgusting that you would even frame Engel in the same terms as Lipenski

Get a grip!!

[Bettie]

42. I'm saying that there were many who argued in exactly the same terms

for Lipinski and another almost Republican.

Engel being replaced by another Democrat isn't a tragedy, it is how the system works.

And people were just as vocal about how angry they were that Lipinski was being challenged as some are about Engel.

[3Hotdogs]

6. So we plug along with slightly left office holders... same people who were called D.I.N.O.'s

years ago. Kinda like my rep in eastern N.J. He wins in a safe district..been winning for years. And the only time we hear from him is before an election.

And little gets changed.

Meanwhile, Repukes go farther right, standing for something. Even though we don't agree with their goals and programs, they win elections and get things done.

[Bettie]

20. And they win elections by catering to the

far edge of their party. They don't play the game of skating along the left edge of their party hoping to peel off some from our side, they say and do what their hard base wants and they win elections, because, as you said, they stand for something.

[PTWB]

8. That "so-called" progressive

Is a DEMOCRAT! Have some respect. Engel served his district and now his district has decided they want someone else.

Attacking the progressive wing of our (very large) tent is a fool’s errand.

[Bettie]

43. Seems like it's a hobby for

some folks round these parts! LOL.

[unblock]

11. That argument works far better on the senate side

where it will probably be very close to 50-50. We will need experienced senators to hold a slim majority together or to have any chance of ever convincing one or two republicans to vote our way.

In the house, we'll have a comfortable majority, and a few older representatives making way for the next generation is hardly a bad thing. We'll still have plenty of experienced members and adding some fresh energy and perspective isn't a bad thing at all.

Remember, today's newbies are tomorrow's seasoned veterans.

[JHB]

16. It is a shame to lose someone with his seniority anbd experience...

...but the vote tally was 60.7% Bowman vs 35.6% Engel. That's not a tiny margin, so please consider that there was more going on than "so-called progressives ... trying to sabotage our party."

And saying what he did within range of a hot mike was colossally stupid. "Leaving snowbound neighborhoods unplowed for days after a blizzard"-level stupid, and New York City politicians lose elections over that sort of thing. That was an unforced error. It probably wasn't the deciding factor, but it definitely cost him.

[Voltaire2]

17. Maybe Engel shouldn't have publicly

announced that he didn’t give a shit about his constituents.

Plus it’s called democracy.

[crickets]

18. This is what I don't understand:

So, progressives want more progressive voices represented it the Democratic party and on the Hill. Great! I consider myself fairly progressive - sounds wonderful to me. Make it happen!

Why do it at the expense of seats already held by the Democratic party? Why do they not target Republicans and replace them first? That would be a win for everyone in the party. It seems very 'eat your own' to knock out current Democrats, good Democrats, rather than win away Republican seats, thereby adding more progressive voices to the party but also more Democratic votes overall in Congress. With more Democratic votes overall, progressives would have a better chance to get their issues addressed.

It seems deliberately destructive of the party to go about it this way.

eta - My thoughts are not just about this particular election. Bowman is the pick of the people. I wish him well and hope he gets the seat and does a good job for them.

[murielm99]

25. Yes. We should be going after republicans.

It seems to me that our so-called progressive left often primaries sitting Democrats. As I mentioned before, I am glad they lose most of these attempts. There are better ways to do things.

[Thekaspervote]

40. This!!

These same progressives have challenged the likes of
Sherice David’s, Hakeem Jeffries, wanted to primary president Obama

For F..k sake...that is not progressive

[Voltaire2]

47. Many of the posters bemoaning this primary were very enthusiastic

about a rightwing troll running as a Democrat in the 14th against Alexandra Ocasio-Cortez.

Curious.

[Ace Rothstein]

49. Because if people feel like they aren't getting the representation they want them they should run...

...if they can convince voters to vote for them. Also, sometimes districts change and voters no longer feel like they are being represented.

[Politicub]

21. All politics is local. Engle's district decided to back someone else.

Perhaps local politics have become more progressive and it was time to pass the baton.

[Arazi]

26. The constituents of that district voted for a change

Bowman is a Democrat. How dare you accuse him, a POC, of "sabotage or that these voters somehow don't know what's best for themselves.

That's fucked up

[murielm99]

30. Are you accusing me of racism?

I hope not.

[Arazi]

32. Are you accusing Bowman, a Democratic POC of sabotage?

Why yes, you did

[murielm99]

33. Goodbye.

I don't care for your name-calling.

[Arazi]

34. I'm slain

[Cha]

41. No kidding! Thank you for speaking out about Elliot Engel!

Some people appreciate it.

[Voltaire2]

46. Could you explain what name you were called?

Here:

"Are you accusing Bowman, a Democratic POC of sabotage? Why yes, you did".

I don't see where you are called a name other than 'you'? Are you objecting to being called 'you'?

[murielm99]

50. Stop attacking.

I have every right to come here and express and opinion without being attacked for it. I have said all I am going to say.

[Voltaire2]

55. Could please explain where I attacked you?

Is asking for a clarification of your post an attack?

[GeorgeGist]

29. You mean the country that...

gave us Donald Trump.
No thanks.

[rzemanfl]

36. Bookmarking. n/t

[Thekaspervote]

37. Agree completely!!

[Hassin Bin Sober]

44. When people like you realize trump is a symptom and not the disease we will all be better off.

[murielm99]

45. What is that supposed to mean?

People like me? This post was not about trump! WTF?

[Ace Rothstein]

48. There is always some excuse as to why we can't primary incumbents.

There are too many in Washington with "experience" and look where it has brought us.

[murielm99]

51. We should be primarying Republicans.

[Bettie]

52. Democrats don't run in Republican primaries.

Democrats DO run against Republicans in general elections, however, they have to run against other Democrats in primaries.

That's how it works.

[murielm99]

53. In my red area,

I often see local republicans running unopposed. When I go to get a DEMOCRATIC primary ballot, I see, "No candidate filed" all too often.

I may have worded that badly, but I am sure you know what I meant. We have to be sure we have someone running for every office. If Bowman wanted to serve, I have a feeling there were other offices he could have run for, offices where he could have gained a bit of experience before representing constituents in Congress.

I stand my my contention that we need experienced people in office, now more than ever.

[Hassin Bin Sober]

56. The fact that has to be explained....

Part of the problem

[Autumn]

2. Sounds like his 'If I didn't have a primary, I wouldn't care' made a difference

Very happy Jamaal Bowman won.

[murielm99]

5. Which was taken out of context.

It was about the speaking order. He had other commitments that day, so it made a difference how soon he was able to speak.

[PTWB]

9. Was it?

Even with the context, it seemed to me like he was saying he wouldn’t care to speak at all if not for the primary. The folks in his district wanted a change. There’s no harm there.

[murielm99]

14. Yes. It was taken out of context.

He was the head of a major committee. Now we will have to find someone less experienced.

He co-sponsored the Green New Deal. He sponsored M4A and many LGBTQ policies. He had a key role in negotiating the American Clean Energy and Security Act. He was a member of the climate solutions caucus. He was a strong gun control advocate.

And you think it is wise to replace him with what? A middle school principal? I am disappointed and I have a right to say so.

[Nature Man]

22. middle school principal

who is a Democrat with progressive credibility?

Yes, please!

[Bettie]

54. School Princpals have experience with

dealing with people of all kinds, negotiation, conflict resolution, bureaucracy, and a whole lot of other things that make them well suited to being a congressperson.

I see no reason why he won't do very well.

Seems that the congresspersons people wail and rend garments over having primary challengers have one thing in common. If only I could put my finger on it...

These same people are, however, very pleased to have a right wing operative run against AOC, for example.

[PTWB]

23. What's wrong with a middle school principal?

The voters in Engel’s district were clearly not convinced he represented their interests as well as Bowman.

[murielm99]

24. His lack of experience, compared to Engel.

We will have a lot of messes to clean up when trump is gone. Experienced people will do the job best.

[PTWB]

28. He has life experience.

How is one supposed to get congressional experience if not by being elected to Congress?

And why are you doubting the very voters who chose
Engel, and now Bowman, to represent them? They clearly saw Bowman as the better choice.

[Autumn]

10. Yeah, I'm not too sure his constituents believed that. Doesn't matter, they made their choice. nt

[spooky3]

3. Congratulations to Jamaal Bowman. Nt

[tulipsandroses]

12. The people have spoken - I guess that's destroying the party- They decided who they thought would

best represent them. I do believe it was by a pretty good margin at that. After all, all politics are local.

[Goonch]

15. ;-{)

[tulipsandroses]

19. And I for one, am excited to see these young black men enter the political arena

Bowman, Booker, Torres, Jones. Welcome Gentlemen, Welcome

[Yeehah]

27. 30 years in Congress is enough

I don't think holding office should be a cradle-to-grave type career.

[Doremus]

31. I hate that term 'cradle to grave'. It was coined by repukes to bitch about the 'welfare state'

[Yeehah]

35. The term "cradle to grave" has been around for a long time

It was not coined by republicans.

[mvd]

39. Congrats!

He will be a great addition to Congress.