Jamaal Bowman is an American politician and educator who has served as the U.S. House Representative for New York’s 16th congressional district since 2021. However, in 2024, he lost his primary in a record-breaking campaign from pro-Israel groups, including AIPAC. This article will reveal Jamaal Bowman’s net worth and highlight his public income sources.
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How rich is Jamaal Bowman?
Bowman graduated from Sayreville War Memorial High School, then briefly attended Potomac State Junior College in West Virginia. He earned his B.A. in sports management from the University of New Haven in 1999. Next, he obtained an M.A. in counseling from Mercy College and, ultimately, a Doctor of Education in educational leadership from Manhattanville College.
After obtaining his undergraduate degree, Bowman first worked as a crisis management teacher in a South Bronx elementary school. In 2009, he established a public middle school in the Bronx, Cornerstone Academy for Social Action.
His entry into politics came in 2020 when the progressive Justice Democrats recruited him to challenge the seat held by 16-term incumbent Eliot Engel. Bowman took inspiration from Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez‘s successful grassroots campaign and ran on an “anti-poverty and anti-racist” platform. He won and took his seat in 2021.
In 2024, Jamaal Bowman lost his primary to Westchester County executive George Latimer after AIPAC and other pro-Israel lobbies spent $15 million in a campaign against him. The record-breaking amount made this primary election the most expensive in U.S. history. Bowman was the first member of “The Squad” to lose a primary, followed by Cori Bush.
What is Jamaal Bowman’s net worth?
Disclaimer: While we strive to estimate net worth accurately from filings, disclosure rules have shortcomings. Personal residences, certain personal property, and federal retirement accounts are often not reported. Large assets can be listed in broad categories like “Over $1 million” or “Over $50 million,” potentially worth much more. Likewise, state financial forms may omit residential property and liabilities like mortgages.
How did Jamaal Bowman make his money?
Before becoming a U.S. Representative, Bowman spent more than a decade in teaching. Despite a successful teaching career, Jamaal Bowman’s net worth remains abysmally low. Here’s a short overview of Bowman’s career:
- Teaching: Bowman has a B.A. in sports management, an M.A. in counseling, and an EdD in educational leadership. His first teaching post was in an elementary school. In 2009, he founded a public middle school in the Bronx. Overall, he spent a decade in education before entering politics;
- Politics: As a U.S. House Representative, Bowman was entitled to an annual salary of $174,000.
Jamaal Bowman’s assets and liabilities
According to his 2023 annual financial report, Jamaal Bowman has nothing on his name besides a pension plan from the Teacher’s Retirement System of the City of New York. However, the ousted representative has listed several liabilities that drag Jamaal Bowman’s net worth into the red:
- Student loans, U.S. Dept. of Education – valued between $250,001 and $500,000;
- Mortgage on personal residence, Wells Fargo – valued between $250,001 and $500,000;
- Personal loan, Credit Karma – valued between $15,001 and $50,000;
- Credit card, Citi Bank – valued between $10,001 and $15,000.
Insider trading involvement
The leaving representative has never been accused of insider trading and does not own or trade individual stocks. This is reflected in Jamaal Bowman’s net worth, which is well into the negatives.
Who is Jamaal Bowman?
Jamaal Bowman was born in Manhattan, New York, on April 1, 1976. Before becoming a politician, Bowman was a middle school principal and an advocate for educational reform, especially regarding racial inequality. In 2020, he was elected as the U.S. Representative for New York’s 16th congressional district in what was perceived as a broader progressive wave within the Democratic Party.
Bowman is part of The Squad, a group of progressive Democrats that initially consisted of Ilhan Omar, Rashida Tlaib, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, and Ayanna Pressley. He pushed for progressive legislation, such as Medicare for All and the Green New Deal. Additionally, he was an outspoken critic of criminal justice and the current handling of the environmental crisis.
On October 26, 2023, he pleaded guilty to willfully setting off a false fire alarm in the Cannon House Office Building during a crucial vote that the Democrats attempted to delay. In December, he was censured in the House of Representatives in a 214–191 vote.
Recommended video: Jamaal Bowman reacts to NY Democratic primary loss
Bowman is married to Melissa Oppenheimer, and they live with their three children in Yonkers, New York. He is an avid fan of New York hip-hop group Wu-Tang Clan, who have inspired his underdog electoral campaign.
The bottom line
The Squad member lost his primary in 2024, which means he will be replaced in 2025 as a representative from New York. Politics have done little to improve Jamaal Bowman’s net worth, which remains deeply in the negative at somewhere between -$1 million and -$325,000.
Disclaimer: The content on this site should not be considered investment advice. Investing is speculative. When investing, your capital is at risk.
FAQs about Jamaal Bowman net worth
What is Jamaal Bowman's net worth?
His 2023 annual financial disclosure form indicates that Jamaal Bowman’s net worth is between -$1 million and -$325,000.
Who is Jamaal Bowman's wife?
Jamaal Bowman is married to teacher and social worker Melissa Oppenheimer. They have three children together.
Why did Jamaal Bowman pull the fire alarm?
Jamaal Bowman said that he pulled the fire alarm on accident, as the door he was trying to go through usually remains open. That said, he pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor, paid a $1,000 fine, and served three months of probation for a false fire alarm.
Why did Jamaal Bowman lose?
Jamaal Bowman lost his primary due to what observers say is a combination of vital mistakes, such as falsely ringing a fire alarm and a record-breaking $15 million campaign led by AIPAC to remove him from office.
