In a move that further highlights the intensifying race between incumbent Jamaal Bowman and challenger George Latimer, former secretary of state Hillary Clinton has endorsed Latimer in the upcoming New York primary election. Clinton's support comes as Bowman faces mounting pressure, including a significant lead held by Latimer according to a recent survey by Emerson College Polling/PIX11/The Hill.

Emphasizing the importance of strong and principled Democrats in Congress, Clinton expressed her confidence in Latimer's ability to protect abortion rights, challenge the influence of the National Rifle Association (NRA), and champion President Biden's agenda. In a statement responding to the endorsement, Latimer expressed his deep honor and credited Clinton's voice for adding momentum to his grassroots campaign.

However, the endorsement did not go unchallenged. Senator Bernie Sanders took to social media to announce his participation in a rally for Bowman, hosted by New York representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. Sanders criticized Aipac, a pro-Israel lobby group, which has supported Latimer's campaign financially. Sanders stated that Aipac, funded by rightwing billionaires, supports extremist Republican candidates and pledged to unite with Bowman and Ocasio-Cortez against the influence of this Super Pac.

The race between Bowman and Latimer has become increasingly contentious, with their stances on Israel's recent conflict in Gaza taking center stage. Bowman, like other progressive House representatives, has been critical of Israel, while Latimer has gained support from the United Democracy Project, a Super Pac affiliated with Aipac, which has already spent millions on campaign funding to unseat Bowman.

The latest endorsement from Clinton could bolster Latimer's predicted lead in the primary election, as he currently holds a 17-point advantage over Bowman, according to the Emerson College Polling/PIX11/The Hill survey. Despite facing backlash for pulling a fire alarm in a congressional office building during a session – an incident he claimed was accidental – and the resurfacing of a controversial personal blog containing conspiracy theories surrounding the September 11 attacks, Bowman remains a formidable candidate.

As the primary election on June 25 approaches, both candidates are expected to intensify their campaigns to secure the Democratic nomination for the vulnerable re-election race. With endorsements from high-profile figures like Clinton and Sanders, the race in New York's primary holds significant implications for the future of the Democratic Party.