Jamaal Bowman raises $2M, launches $350,000 ad buy ahead of New York primary

New York congressional candidate Jamaal Bowman’s campaign announced on Friday the candidate raised $2 million ahead of Tuesday’s Democratic primary against longtime incumbent Rep. Eliot Engel (D-N.Y.). 

Bowman’s campaign also revealed he received more than 65,000 individual donors during the campaign, showing the potential strength of his progressive base in the state’s 16th congressional district. 

Additionally, the campaign announced it was launching a $350,000 TV ad-buy after the successful fundraising hauls. 

“The incredible grassroots support for Jamaal over the past few weeks that made this ad buy possible has reflected what we have been hearing from voters all over the district: people are ready for change,” Bowman’s campaign manager said in a statement Friday. 

The news comes after Bowman, a former middle school principal, outraised Engel from April 1-June 3. Bowman brought in $431,000, while Engel raised $389,000 in the same period. 

While Engel may still have more cash on hand, a recent poll conducted by the progressive firm Data for Progress showed Bowman leading Engel by 10 points. 

A victory for Bowman would mark a major blow to the Democratic establishment. Engel has served in Congress for 16 terms and chairs the influential House Foreign Affairs Committee. 

Engel has received endorsements from Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.), New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D), and Hillary Clinton, while Bowman has the support of progressive leaders like Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.), and Sens. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.). 

Engel has come under criticism for his absence from his district during much of the coronavirus pandemic. However, his supporters argue Engel was on the legislative frontlines combatting the pandemic.