History of Jamaal Bowman in Timeline

Jamaal Bowman is an American former politician and educator. He served as the U.S. Representative for New York's 16th congressional district from 2021 to 2025. Prior to entering politics, Bowman worked as a middle school teacher and principal, emphasizing social justice and educational equity. He gained prominence for his progressive political views and his focus on issues such as affordable housing, healthcare, and climate change. Bowman defeated longtime incumbent Eliot Engel in the 2020 Democratic primary, marking a significant victory for progressive candidates.

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Full Timeline

April 1, 1976: Jamaal Bowman Born

On April 1, 1976, Jamaal Anthony Bowman was born. He later became a politician and educator, serving as the U.S. Representative for New York's 16th congressional district.

Others born on this day/year

1989: Eliot Engel's Congressional Service

In 1989, Eliot Engel began serving as a member of the House. Jamaal Bowman would later challenge Engel for his seat.

1999: Graduation from the University of New Haven

In 1999, Jamaal Bowman earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in sports management from the University of New Haven. During his time there, he played college football as a linebacker for the New Haven Chargers.

2009: Founded Cornerstone Academy for Social Action

In 2009, Jamaal Bowman founded Cornerstone Academy for Social Action, which is a public middle school located in the Bronx.

2011: Maintained Blog Promoting Conspiracy Theories

From 2011, Jamaal Bowman maintained a blog on which he promoted 9/11 conspiracy theories.

2014: Maintained Blog Promoting Conspiracy Theories

Until 2014, Jamaal Bowman maintained a blog on which he promoted 9/11 conspiracy theories.

2018: Inspired by Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez Campaign

In 2018, Jamaal Bowman was inspired to run for office by Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez's insurgent campaign. This inspiration led him to develop an "anti-poverty and anti-racist" platform.

July 17, 2020: Won Democratic Primary

On July 17, 2020, Jamaal Bowman won the Democratic primary with 55% of the vote. He subsequently defeated Conservative nominee Patrick McManus in the general election with 84% of the vote.

2020: Defeated Eliot Engel in Democratic primary and elected to Congress

In 2020, Jamaal Bowman defeated 16-term incumbent Eliot Engel in the Democratic primary and was first elected to Congress in November that year. He was a member of the Squad, an informal group of leftist members of the House Democratic Caucus.

2020: Won Primary Election

In 2020, Jamaal Bowman was challenged in the Democratic primary by Westchester County legislator Vedat Gashi, who was endorsed by Bowman's predecessor and 2020 primary opponent, Eliot Engel. Bowman won the primary with 54% of the vote, and the general election with 64% of the vote.

January 2021: Introduced the COUP Act

In January 2021, following the storming of the United States Capitol, Jamaal Bowman introduced the Congressional Oversight of Unjust Policing Act (COUP Act) to establish a commission to investigate the Capitol Police's handling of the event.

September 2021: Vote on Aid to Israel's Iron Dome

In September 2021, Jamaal Bowman voted in favor of providing Israel with an additional $1 billion in aid to fund its Iron Dome missile defense system, a vote that sparked controversy within the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA).

November 5, 2021: Voted Against Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act

On November 5, 2021, Jamaal Bowman was one of six House Democrats who broke with their party to vote against the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act because it did not include the Build Back Better Act.

2021: Served as United States representative

In 2021, Jamaal Anthony Bowman served as the United States representative for New York's 16th congressional district.

2021: Cosponsored H.R. 4108

In 2021, Jamaal Bowman cosponsored H.R. 4108, also known as the Healthy Future Students and Earth Pilot Program Act, with Nydia Velázquez, which aimed to introduce plant-based food and beverage options in school lunches.

2022: Voted Against National Defense Authorization Act

In 2022, Jamaal Bowman was among 51 House Democrats who voted against the final passage of the 2022 National Defense Authorization Act, stating concerns about prioritizing weapons over housing, care, and justice for veterans.

2022: DSA Membership Expiration

In 2022, Jamaal Bowman's DSA membership expired following the organization's response to his vote regarding aid to Israel's Iron Dome.

July 18, 2023: Voted Against Resolution on Israel

On July 18, 2023, Jamaal Bowman and eight other progressive Democrats voted against a congressional non-binding resolution stating that "the State of Israel is not a racist or apartheid state".

September 30, 2023: Pulled Fire Alarm in Cannon House Office Building

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 on a bill that would avoid a government shutdown. The action caused the building to be evacuated. He initially claimed it was an accident.

October 2023: DSA Membership Expiration

In October 2023, it was confirmed that Jamaal Bowman had allowed his DSA membership to expire in 2022 following the organization's response to his vote regarding aid to Israel's Iron Dome.

October 26, 2023: Pleaded Guilty to Misdemeanor

On October 26, 2023, Jamaal Bowman pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor for willfully setting off a false fire alarm in the Cannon House Office Building. In exchange for his guilty plea, the charge was dropped.

December 7, 2023: House Censured Bowman

On December 7, 2023, the House of Representatives voted to censure Jamaal Bowman for his conduct in the fire alarm incident. The vote was 214 to 191. Following the censure, the House Ethics Committee dropped its review of Bowman's actions.

2023: Bowman called reports of Israeli women being raped during the 2023 Hamas attack "propaganda" and a "lie"

In 2023, Jamaal Bowman called reports of Israeli women being raped during the 2023 Hamas attack "propaganda" and a "lie".

2023: Reintroduced H.R. 4108

In 2023, Jamaal Bowman reintroduced H.R. 4108, also known as the Healthy Future Students and Earth Pilot Program Act, which aims to introduce plant-based food and beverage options in school lunches.

2023: Voted Against Fiscal Responsibility Act

In 2023, Jamaal Bowman was among the 46 House Democrats who voted against the final passage of the Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023.

January 29, 2024: J Street Withdrew Endorsement

On January 29, 2024, the liberal Israel lobby group J Street withdrew its endorsement of Jamaal Bowman, citing the "framing and approach" of his response to the Hamas attack. J Street President Jeremy Ben-Ami said Bowman had "gone too far".

March 2024: Retracted Remarks on Israeli Women's Rape

In March 2024, after Politico reached out to his office about his statements, Jamaal Bowman retracted his previous remarks calling reports of Israeli women being raped during the 2023 Hamas attack "propaganda" and a "lie".

May 2024: Rejoined DSA

In May 2024, Jamaal Bowman rejoined the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) and was endorsed by its New York City chapter. This occurred as he faced a strong primary challenge from George Latimer.

May 2024: YouTube Conspiracy Channel Subscriptions

In May 2024, The Daily Beast revealed that Jamaal Bowman's personal YouTube account was subscribed to dozens of fringe conspiracy channels, at least several of which he had subscribed to since being elected to Congress. He denied knowledge of the channels or their content.

June 2024: Apologized for Remarks on Sexual Violence

In June 2024, Jamaal Bowman apologized for his earlier remarks regarding reports of sexual violence during the Hamas attack, stating that he voted to condemn the sexual violence when additional evidence was provided by the U.N..

2024: Lost Democratic Primary

In 2024, Jamaal Bowman ran for reelection but lost to Westchester County executive George Latimer in the district's Democratic primary. Bowman was the first of two Democratic congressional incumbents of the 2024 election cycle to lose a primary, along with Cori Bush. He also was the first member of the Squad to lose a primary, the second also being Bush.

February 2025: Started Built to Win PAC

In February 2025, Jamaal Bowman started his own super political action committee, Built to Win PAC, to support progressive candidates in competitive elections by mobilizing nonwhite voters disillusioned with the Democratic Party.