REPLACING:

Jamaal Bowman (D) [i]

WORK HISTORY:

Nestle Corporation: Stouffer Hotels (Sales / Marketing Executive); City of Rye, New York (City Councilman); Benchmark Hospitality (Sales / Marketing Executive); Westchester County, New York (County Legislator, County Executive); New York State Senate (Member, District 37); New York State Assembly (Member, District 91) [ii]

EDUCATION:

Diploma, Mt. Vernon High School; BA, Fordham University; MPA, New York University [iii]

CAMPAIGNED ON:

Uplifting All Communities; Defending Democracy; Protecting Reproductive Freedoms; Investing in Infrastructure; Keeping our Communities Safe; Standing with our Allies Abroad; Safeguarding Our Environment; Supporting Comprehensive Immigration Reform; Protecting Medicare and Social Security; Making Sure Children Can Thrive [iv]

ON THE ISSUES

REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS:

A staunch supporter of reproductive rights, Latimer signed on to the Reproductive Health Care Facilities Access Act, which he said protected access to reproductive health clinics in Westchester County, New York. He is in favor of protecting healthcare providers who offer “reproductive services,” and he has promised to combat “any efforts” to institute a national abortion ban. He has also pledged to “advocate for expanding access to contraception and preserving options such as in vitro fertilization (IVF).” [v]

IMMIGRATION & BORDER SECURITY:

The son of “two immigrant families,” Latimer supports “comprehensive immigration reform,” including “accelerating work permits” for immigrants, bolstering access to public safety and emergency services for immigrants, and clearing the backlog of asylum cases by expediting “the legal intake and processing of asylum cases.” [vi]

ECONOMY & JOBS:

During the campaign, Latimer touted that, as County Executive, he helped create entrepreneurship and job training programs, grants for minority-owned businesses, and workforce development programs for previously incarcerated individuals. He supports increasing access to affordable housing, protecting tenant rights, and expanding homeownership. He is also in favor of greater investments in infrastructure, including roads, bridges, mass transit systems, and sewer systems. [vii]

TAXES:

Latimer opposed the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act and criticized former Rep. Jamaal Bowman for voting against the child tax credit. He supports restoring SALT deductions and cutting “taxes on middle class families.”[viii] [ix] [x]

CRIME & PUBLIC SAFETY:

Latimer believes that a key way to reduce crime is to install “common-sense gun reforms,” including an assault weapons ban, universal background checks, and extreme risk protection orders. As a County Executive, Latimer said that he increased funding for public safety. [xi]

CLIMATE CHANGE, ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT:

Of the belief that climate change is an “urgent threat with long-term repercussions,” Latimer is in favor of “immediate and decisive action,” including investing in renewable energy sources, promoting clean energy jobs, and encouraging use of electric vehicles. He has expressed support for a Green New Deal, which he has said would “enact comprehensive policies that address environmental degradation, promote conservation efforts, and mitigate the impacts of climate change on communities across the nation.” [xii]

FOREIGN POLICY:

Latimer has said that he supports Ukraine in its fight against Russia, and he is in favor of maintaining the U.S.-Israel alliance. He backs a two-state solution “among Israelis and Palestinians” and said that he recognizes the “critical role of NATO in defending global security and will support America’s long and successful commitment to this alliance.” Regarding China, Latimer stated that he will help protect “the security of our Pacific allies, the right to free navigation in international waters, and the lowering of military and economic tensions with the Chinese government, all without sacrificing America’s own security interests and democratic principles.” [xiii]

HEALTHCARE & SOCIAL SAFETY NET:

A proponent of protecting Medicare and Social Security, Latimer has referred to these programs as “vital lifelines for millions of Americans.” He opposes privatizing Medicare and Social Security and has pledged to advocate for measures that will “strengthen and expand Medicare and Social Security benefits, guaranteeing financial security and healthcare coverage for our nation’s seniors.” [xiv]

DEMOCRACY:

Of the belief that American democracy is facing “unprecedented threats to its very integrity and stability,” Latimer has promised to “support policies and find actionable ways to restore public trust in our democratic institutions and to combat corruption, promote transparency, protect the right for workers to collectively bargain, and ensure equal representation for all citizens.” He has also said that he will prioritize strengthening U.S. democratic institutions by “protecting election workers from harassment and intimidation, expanding voting access through initiatives such as early voting, mail-in ballots, and awareness campaigns, and upholding the independence and integrity of our judiciary.” [xv]

SOCIAL ISSUES:

According to his campaign website, Latimer believes that it is a “moral obligation to ensure equitable access to resources, opportunities, and support systems for every individual, regardless of race, gender, or background.” He supports building an “inclusive economy.” [xvi]