Jamaal Bowman is an American politician and educator who served as the U.S. Representative for New York’s 16th congressional district from 2021 to 2025. Born on April 1, 1976, in New York City, Bowman founded and led the Cornerstone Academy for Social Action, a public middle school in the Bronx, before entering politics.
In 2020, he achieved a significant political victory by defeating 16-term incumbent Eliot Engel in the Democratic primary, propelled by his progressive platform advocating for policies such as Medicare for All and a Green New Deal.
During his tenure in Congress, Bowman was known for his alignment with the progressive wing of the Democratic Party, often associated with “The Squad.” He served on the House Committees for Education and the Workforce, and Science, Space, and Technology, with a particular focus on energy and space exploration.
However, his career faced challenges, including a controversial incident in September 2023 where he pulled a fire alarm in the Cannon House Office Building during a government shutdown debate, leading to a censure by the House of Representatives.
In June 2024, Bowman lost his bid for re-election to Westchester County Executive George Latimer in the Democratic primary. The race was notably influenced by debates over U.S. foreign policy, particularly regarding Israel. Following his electoral defeat, Bowman launched a Super PAC named “Built to Win,” aiming to challenge pro-Israel candidates and mobilize voters disillusioned with the Democratic Party.
More recently, Bowman garnered attention for his outspoken criticism of Elon Musk, referring to the tech billionaire as a “Nazi” and a “thief” during a CNN interview. Musk has threatened legal action in response to these remarks.