Mondaire Jones—a former New York Congressman known for his progressive views—is facing backlash in his 2024 campaign after expressing his support for Israel amid the war in Gaza.
Mondaire Jones made history in 2020 when he and Ritchie Torres became the first gay Black men to be elected to Congress. Jones became known as a progressive Congressman who advocated for LGBTQIA+ rights, environmental initiatives, and expanded healthcare. He lost his seat in Congress in 2022 following redistricting in New York, and he is once again running for Congress in 2024.
Mondaire Jones’ current campaign has been hurt after he endorsed Democrat George Latimer for New York’s 16th Congressional District, explaining that his support of Latimer was due to their shared pro-Israel beliefs. When questioned about why Jones backed Latimer rather than incumbent and squad member Jamaal Bowmann, Jones says, “Unfortunately, I have been particularly distraught over the way that (Bowmann) has responded to the events of October 7, the worst assault on Jews since the Holocaust—whether it was Mr. Bowman’s denial of the fact that Hamas committed sexual assault of Israeli women on October 7, or his recent endorsement by the Democratic Socialists of America, whose New York City Chapter amplified a pro-Hamas rally the day after October 7, or his recent reversal on items like Iron Dome funding and the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement.”
When questioned about how his pro-Israel views are at odds with his otherwise Progressive stances, Jones explained, “I don’t view myself to have been cast out of what has been described as the progressive movement in this country, but I do view myself to be at odds with an element of extremism that, if left unchecked, will hijack a movement in this country intended to secure basic freedoms for women and the LGBTQ+ community and expand healthcare opportunities for people here in America.”
Jones is no stranger to holding seemingly paradoxical beliefs. He grew up in the First Baptist Church and continues to be a member of the Church. Despite his conservative religious upbringing, Jones came out at the age of 24 and lives openly as a gay man. Jones’ pro-Israel statements have been perceived by some as an appeal to the Jewish voters in his district. While his statements have angered his fellow progressive Democrats, the results of the election on November 5 will show whether his pro-Israel stance helped or hindered his 2024 campaign for Congress. Photo courtesy of social media
