Bowman has a double-digit lead over Engel in the New York primaries

The progressive insurgent Jamaal Bowman was the main representative. Eliot EngelEliot Lance EngelBowman has a double-digit lead over Engel in the New York primary. Ocasio-Cortez defends against the challenger in the home primary. The Hill Campaign Report: Elementary Night in Kentucky and New York. PLUS (DN.Y.) by double digits in one of the most anticipated primaries of the year on Tuesday as officials continued to count votes.

Bowman, a former high school principal who has seen a late increase in polls and fundraising, garnered 61 percent of the vote early Wednesday morning, with 85 percent of the precincts. Engel, a 16-period incumbent, came in second with 36 percent of the vote.

A Bowman victory would provide progressives with a huge political scalp, as several insurgent candidates have launched challenges against established Democrats or traditional incumbents. His offers have received a boost amid nationwide protests against the racial injustice that rocked the country after George Floyd’s death while in police custody in Minneapolis.

Bowman would also become the second New York progressive to defeat a high-ranking lawmaker after the Representative. Alexandria Ocasio-CortezAlexandria Ocasio-CortezBowman has a double-digit lead over Engel in the New York primaries McGrath leads Booker in Kentucky with results expected next week Ocasio-Cortez fends off challenger in House primaries MORE (DN.Y.) stunned the political world by defeating former Rep. Joseph Crowley in a 2018 primary.

However, the count so far does not account for an increase in absentee ballots seen in New York, as the coronavirus pandemic has prompted states to increase their vote-by-mail options. Governor of New York Andrew Cuomo (D) ordered that mail ballot applications be sent to every registered voter in the state for the primaries, which was delayed in late April.

As of June 12, election officials had received nearly 1.1 million requests for absentee ballots. By comparison, fewer than 158,000 absentee ballots were requested in the 2016 presidential primaries, according to the state Board of Elections.

In New York, absentee ballots must be mailed by Tuesday and received no later than June 30, meaning officials there will continue to count absentee ballots a week after the primaries.

Bowman cast an optimistic tone in a campaign speech Tuesday night, saying his campaign was part of a broader movement to combat discrimination in the country.

“So tonight, as we celebrate, we don’t just celebrate as an individual, we celebrate this movement, a movement designed to roll back a system that is literally killing us. It is killing black and brown bodies disproportionately, but it is killing us all, ”he said.

Engel, who chairs the House Foreign Affairs Committee, was seen in political danger as he tried to win a 17th term by facing criticism from Bowman and other Democrats for his absence from the district during the coronavirus pandemic.

Engel also made a farce after being caught on camera saying he needed to speak out at the event against racial injustice and that he “wouldn’t mind” otherwise if it weren’t for the fact that he faces a main rival.

Bowman, meanwhile, enjoyed a boost in backing, including from great hitters like Ocasio-Cortez and Sen. Bernie SandersBernie SandersBowman has a double-digit lead over Engel in the New York primaries McGrath leads Booker in Kentucky with results expected next week Joe Biden wins the New York primaries MORE (I-Vt.) And I saw a sudden increase in fundraising in the lead up to elementary school.

Engel has tried to fuel his campaign by pointing out his high-profile perch on the Foreign Affairs panel and his ability to puncture. President TrumpDonald John Trump Bowman has a double-digit lead over Engel in New York. McGrath leads Booker in Kentucky with results expected next week New York Republican Chris Jacobs wins special election to replace Chris Collins MORE and “bring bacon home” to his constituents, but Bowman said he would be a more effective legislator for the district.

“Eliot Engel, and I will say his name once, used to say that he is a thorn in Donald Trump’s side. But do you know what Donald Trump is more afraid of than anything else? A black man with power, ”he said Tuesday night.

“The results show that this district requires change. This is what this district has been waiting for, this is what this country has been waiting for, and now we are all here together. So I’m excited, I’m happy, I’m excited. I can’t wait to get to Congress and cause trouble for people who have maintained a status quo that is literally killing our children. “

Progressives expressed their enthusiasm for Bowman’s leadership and said he would address the important problems facing his district.

“Jamaal ran his campaign with love, heart and wisdom, and it was an honor to work alongside him as he delved deeper into issues important to our community. Tonight’s results look encouraging, and we are excited to keep a close eye on the race as votes continue to be counted, ”said Emily Mayer, Political Director of the IfNotNow Movement.

Other New York races were called early, including Ocasio-Cortez, which inspired a large number of progressives to launch political careers. She easily defended herself against Michelle Caruso-Cabrera, a well-funded former CNBC presenter.

Meanwhile, the Rep. Grace MengGrace MengBowman has a double-digit lead over Engel in the New York primaries Grace Meng wins the New York Democratic primaries The Hill Campaign Report: Primary Night in Kentucky and New York MOREHe won the primary in the 6th District after facing Democratic challengers for the first time since taking office.

Among progressive challengers, the first results were mixed. New York Rep. Yvette ClarkeYvette Diane ClarkeBowman has a double-digit lead over Engel in the New York primaries The Hill Campaign Report: Primary night in Kentucky and New York 5 things to see in Tuesday’s primaries MORE maintained an advantage of more than 40 points over the progressive Adem Bunkeddeko in the ninth district, with 80 percent of the newsrooms.

But progressive Mondaire Jones led by about 24 points over his closest rival with 96 percent of the precincts reporting in the race to replace the retiring Representative. Nita LoweyNita Sue LoweyBowman has a double-digit lead over Engel in the New York primaries 5 things to see in Tuesday’s primaries New York Democrats gear up for stunner night primaries in the 17th district

Jones, like Bowman in neighboring District 16, had attracted broad progressive support in the primaries after going unnoticed for months before the election. He would become the first openly black member of the LGBTQ + Congress.

“Tonight’s main victory not only sets Mondaire Jones on the path to becoming the first black and openly gay member of Congress, but also makes him one of the new champions of the US House of Representatives. USA For progressive priorities like Medicare for All, the Green New Accord and strong criminal justice reform, “said Yvette Simpson, CEO of Democracy for America, who endorsed it.