Westchester County Executive George Latimer has announced plans to run for Congress and sat down for his first interview as a candidate with News 12's Tara Rosenblum. 

The two-term county executive is officially throwing his hat in the ring for the 16th Congressional District, in what could be the highest profile congressional primary in the nation next year.

Latimer will try to unseat Democratic Rep. Jamaal Bowman, a two-term congressman who currently represents parts of Westchester and the Bronx.

Latimer spoke with Tara Rosenblum in White Plains, just feet away from the county's Holocaust Memorial.

In recent weeks, many Jewish leaders in the district, which includes lower Westchester and parts of the Bronx, urged Latimer to run because they've been upset with Bowman's criticism of Israel since Oct. 7. 

Latimer told News 12 that the issue is high on his priority list but that there are also other issues he wants to champion should he be elected to Congress.

"I've been a strong Democrat. We have done progressive things, from our transportation policy to our housing policy to Black maternal health policies, funding, wage theft - you name it, we've done it here," says Latimer.

Bowman's team issued a statement denouncing Latimer's candidacy while adding Bowman's priorities are to deliver for the people of the district and stand up to special antisemitism and Islamophobia.

News 12 will have more on Bowman's reaction on Wednesday,

Latimer's campaign video is expected to go live Wednesday morning.

Watch more of Tara Rosenblum's interview on Wednesday.

MORE: Sources: Westchester Executive Latimer to challenge Rep. Jamaal Bowman in Democratic primary