Photo credit: John Minchillo/AP

Political newcomer ​Jamaal Bowman says his top priority in Congress would be dealing with racial and economic justice. 

Bowman unseated 16-term Congressman Eliot Engel in the Bronx and Westchester. A near-complete count of absentee ballots made it clear on Friday that Engel cannot win, and the veteran lawmaker has conceded.

In an interview with NY1's Errol Louis on "Inside City Hall," Bowman said he learned the Associated Press had called the race for him as he was leaving a doctor's appointment earlier in the day. 

"It was just such a relief, so fulfilling, so exciting, and it felt like,' wow, I finally get the opportunity to relax and celebrate,'" Bowman told Louis. 

In the wide-ranging interview, Bowman discussed his agenda and said he plans to deal with institutional racism in all its forms if he's sworn in come January. 

He said that entails dealing with several issues including mass incarceration, police brutality and economic inequality. 

Bowman also said before he arrives in Congress he'd like to see lawmakers pass the HEROES Act, which he said is more aggressive than the CARES Act in helping working class families devastated by the pandemic. 

Bowman is all but assured victory in the November general election. His only opponent is Patrick McManus, who is running on the Conservative Party line.