New York Democrat launches House campaign against Whitmer’s sister with squad support.

Mondaire Jones, Liz Whitmer Gereghty will square off in swing seat primary

Get ready for an intense primary battle in New York’s swing House seat! Liberal former congressman Mondaire Jones is throwing his hat in the ring, setting up a showdown against Liz Whitmer Gereghty, the sister of Michigan Democratic governor Gretchen Whitmer.

Jones, a strong ally of the left-wing “Squad,” previously represented New York’s 17th Congressional District from 2021 to 2023. Now, he’s making a bid to represent the district once again. However, before Jones can move on to the general election, he’ll have to defeat Whitmer’s sister, Liz Whitmer Gereghty, who launched her campaign in May and currently serves as a school board member.

This primary race is shaping up to be one of the most contentious in the country, with Jones’s supporters already taking shots at Gereghty. “I didn’t even know her sister lived in the district,” said liberal congressman Jamaal Bowman, a member of the “Squad” representing a nearby district in New York. On the other hand, Gereghty’s supporters have countered by highlighting her two-decade residency in the area and her endorsements from Michigan’s congressional delegation.

Jones is known for his progressive politics, advocating for defunding the police, abolishing cash bail, and supporting Medicare for All and the Green New Deal. He has received endorsements from fellow “Squad” members Alexandria Ocasio Cortez and Pramila Jayapal. However, his progressive stance may pose a challenge in a district that has become more conservative after the 2020 redistricting process.

Gereghty, on the other hand, serves on the board of the Katonah-Lewisboro School District and has already raised over $400,000 in the first 10 weeks of her campaign. Her platform condemns “extremist Republicans” and their actions, such as banning books and restricting reproductive rights.

Jones joined Congress in 2021 but had to switch districts due to redistricting, which placed him in the same district as then-Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee chair Sean Patrick Maloney. Jones finished third in the primary for his new district, while Maloney lost in the general election. Now, Jones is expressing regret for not challenging Maloney and is ready to face a tough primary battle against Gereghty.

Both candidates are determined to win the swing seat, with Gereghty’s campaign emphasizing the importance of defeating Republican incumbent Mike Lawler. It’s going to be an exciting race to watch!