Congressman Jamaal Bowman has secured the endorsement of fellow “Squad” member Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez in his bid for re-election, NY1 has learned. 

“At a time like this, we need representatives in Congress who understand that our system is rigged for a select few and who are willing to fight to completely transform our structures,” the Bronx congresswoman said in a statement. “For New Yorkers in NY-16, that leader is Congressman Jamaal Bowman.”

Ocasio-Cortez’s endorsement of Bowman comes as she has publicly sided against some other fellow New York congressional Democrats in their bids for office.

Earlier this month, she endorsed state Sen. Alessandra Biaggi in her campaign to unseat Rep. Sean Patrick Maloney, the chairman of the House Democrat’s campaign arm. She also backed Ana Maria Archila for New York Lt. Gov. over former Rep. Antonio Delgado. He had served with Ocasio-Cortez in Congress for over three years before being appointed lieutenant governor in May.

Bowman, a former educator, is currently serving his first term in Congress. Ocasio-Cortez endorsed him in 2020 as well, when he beat longtime Congressman Eliot Engel in the Democratic primary. 

New York’s newly redrawn 16th district stretches from the Bronx into Westchester County.

This past term, Bowman and Ocasio-Cortez have become allies on the Hill, advocating together for the Green New Deal and a robust reconciliation bill. They pushed to fund an anti-gun violence program at Jacobi Hospital in the Bronx and criticizing Israel during its deadly conflict with the Palestinians in May 2021.

Bowman is the first male member of the so-called “Squad,” which was formed by Ocasio-Cortez and three other young progressive Democratic lawmakers in the last Congress.

In a statement, Bowman praised Ocasio-Cortez as “one of the most important Democratic leaders of our time” and said he looks forward to continuing to fight by her side in Washington.