Jamaal Bowman is an American politician and former educator. He served as the United States Representative for New York's 16th congressional district from 2021 to 2025. Bowman gained prominence for unseating a long-term incumbent in the Democratic primary, running on a progressive platform focusing on issues like affordable housing, education reform, and addressing economic inequality. His background as a middle school principal and advocate for public education significantly shaped his political priorities.
On April 1, 1976, Jamaal Anthony Bowman was born.
In 1999, Jamaal Bowman earned a Bachelor of Arts in sports management from the University of New Haven.
In 2009, Jamaal Bowman founded the Cornerstone Academy for Social Action, a public middle school in the Bronx.
In 2018, Jamaal Bowman was inspired to run for office by the insurgent campaign of Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.
On July 17, 2020, Jamaal Bowman won the Democratic primary with 55% of the vote.
In January 2021, Jamaal Bowman introduced the Congressional Oversight of Unjust Policing Act (COUP Act) following the storming of the United States Capitol.
On November 5, 2021, Jamaal Bowman was one of six House Democrats who voted against the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.
On July 18, 2023, Jamaal Bowman voted against a congressional resolution stating that Israel is not a racist or apartheid state.
On September 30, 2023, Jamaal Bowman pulled a fire alarm in the Cannon House Office Building while House Democrats were attempting to delay a vote.
In October 2023, Jamaal Bowman's spokesman confirmed that his DSA membership had expired in 2022 following DSA's response to his vote on aid to Israel.
On December 7, 2023, the House censured Jamaal Bowman for his conduct in the fire alarm incident.
In February 2025, Jamaal Bowman started his own super political action committee, Built to Win PAC, to support progressive candidates.