Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s endorsement of a group of all-female progressive candidates could mean an end to her own congressional stint in office.
The freshman New York lawmaker and self-described democratic socialist “may not last in Congress,” according to a New York Post editorial which warned that Ocasio-Cortez’s new political action committee supporting candidates challenging Democratic incumbents could spell her own demise.
“Already in hot water for refusing to pay dues to her caucus’ fundraising arm, the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, she’s now devoting her resources instead to defeating Democrats,” the editorial, published Sunday, stated. “Don’t be surprised when the established Democrats who’ll control redistricting after the 2020 Census do their best to eliminate her seat.”
Ocasio-Cortez, who has endorsed Sen. Bernie Sanders in his 2020 campaign bid for the White House, is targeting the Democratic establishment in national races by touting liberal activists using her influence, campaign funds and new Courage to Change PAC. The left-wing darling announced on Friday her endorsement of seven congressional candidates, all women, who will be vying for House and Senate seats with some challenging longtime Democratic incumbents.
“One of our primary goals is to reward political courage in Congress and also to help elect a progressive majority in the House of Representatives,” Ocasio-Cortez told The New York Times. “There’s kind of a dual nature to this: One is opening the door to newcomers, and the other is to reward members of Congress that are exhibiting very large amounts of political courage.”
The 30-year-old lawmaker, who won her New York seat in 2018 by defeating a 20-year Democratic congressman, is intervening in key races such as in Texas where labor and voting rights activist Cristina Tzintzún Ramirez is running against M.J. Hegar, the candidate endorsed by Senate Democrats’ campaign arm.
Today @CouragetoChange is announcing its first endorsements of newcomers to Congress:
SENATE
Cristina Tzintzún Ramirez (TX)HOUSE
Teresa Fernandez (NM)
Kara Eastman (NE)
Georgette Gomez (CA)
Marie Newman (IL)
Jessica Cisneros (TX)
Samelys Lopez (NY)https://t.co/sbSKTipijm— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) February 21, 2020
House colleagues of Ocasio-Cortez are facing primary challengers who are being supported by the New York progressive. Marie Newman is running against Rep. Daniel Lipinski of Illinois, and Jessica Cisneros is facing off against Rep. Henry Cuellar of Texas.
In January, Ocasio-Cortez raised $1.4 million, according to her campaign, and almost 20,000 contributions were directed to her new political action committee, according to The New York Times.
“While I think sometimes a lot of people see this as a huge amassing of influence or power or money or what have you, my personal experience does not feel that way — it can feel very lonely,” she told the newspaper. “I think my ambition right now is to be a little less lonely in Congress.”
“Courage to Change seeks to reward challengers and incumbents who display political courage– people who refuse to bow to establishment pressure, who advocate ferociously for working-class families, and who have lived the same struggles as the people they seek to represent,” the group’s website states.
Ocasio-Cortez declared that “it’s time to elect a progressive majority in Congress” in a tweet following her announced endorsements.
It’s time to elect a progressive majority in Congress accountable to strong, grassroots movements that push support for issues like Medicare for All, a Green New Deal, racial justice, & more.
It’s time to elect public servants with the Courage to Change: https://t.co/K6JXmCH2Vh
— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) February 21, 2020
She slammed those who have been critical of her moves against the Democratic establishment.
This isn’t about swing seats or pushing communities “too far left.”
It’s about accountability. Working families deserve so much better. And if we aren’t willing to admit where we can do better, then what is the point?
Our job is to serve the people, not the powerful.
— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) February 23, 2020
But Democrats could get the final word and redraw her New York district after the 2020 election, possibly eliminating her House seat. Twitter users reacted to the latest move by Ocasio-Cortez to effectively alienate many members of her own party.
Identity Politics
— Byron Saenz (@Byrons360) February 21, 2020
the DNC eating themselves
— AJ (@HazardProtocol) February 21, 2020
Actions have consequences. #redistricting https://t.co/4JpHPsT137
— Lake Travis GOP (@LakeTravisGOP) February 24, 2020
Don’t worry too much; New York is going to lose one congressional seat as a result of the 2020 census and there is serious talk of redistricting her seat away.
— Joe Palazzolo (@JoePalazzolo2) February 22, 2020
If AOC gets redistricted into oblivion, not one New Yorker will miss her, and in two years she’ll be “whatshername” to actual Democrats.
AOC’s war on fellow Democrats likely to eliminate her House seat https://t.co/R84bU8lbgf via @nypost
— Kim Wexler’s Ponytail (@MadisonKittay) February 24, 2020
Don’t let the door hit you on your way out!
— Rachel Kartman (@rachkartman) February 24, 2020
DONATE TO BIZPAC REVIEW
Please help us! If you are fed up with letting radical big tech execs, phony fact-checkers, tyrannical liberals and a lying mainstream media have unprecedented power over your news please consider making a donation to BPR to help us fight them. Now is the time. Truth has never been more critical!
[email protected]
Originally from New York, Powers graduated from New York University and eventually made her way to sunny South Florida where she has been writing for the BizPacReview team since 2015.
- Megyn Kelly delivers an ominous warning if Trump goes to jail before Election Day - December 8, 2023
- Judge sentences woman who assaulted Chipotle worker to do hard time working at a fast food restaurant - December 8, 2023
- ‘He was pissed’: Megyn Kelly dishes on heated off-air encounter with Chris Christie during GOP debate - December 8, 2023
Comment
We have no tolerance for comments containing violence, racism, profanity, vulgarity, doxing, or discourteous behavior. If a comment is spam, instead of replying to it please click the ∨ icon below and to the right of that comment. Thank you for partnering with us to maintain fruitful conversation.
