When Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez burst onto the national political scene in 2018, it was clear that she little patience for politics as usual.
Ocasio-Cortez’s defeat of then-Rep. Joe Crowley in New York’s 14th congressional district Democratic primary that year signaled the rising influence of progressivism within the party, especially among working-class voters, along with millennials and Gen Zers.
Even before being sworn into office, Ocasio-Cortez joined climate change activists protesting outside of then-House Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi’s Capitol Hill office in November 2018, an early sign that she would not be deferential to leadership on the key issue.
For many observers, all signs pointed to a perpetual ideological tussle between Ocasio-Cortez and top Democrats. But along the way, she’s broadened her appeal within the party.
And it was on full display during the first night of the Democratic National Convention in Chicago, when Ocasio-Cortez was not only given a prime speaking slot but received rave reviews by many for her defense of the party’s values and her strong backing of Vice President Kamala Harris’ presidential campaign.
From progressive newbie to Democratic insider
Speaking slots at national conventions are perfect opportunities for up-and-coming politicians to get face time with the party faithful and tap into the sort of connections that can pay dividends down the line.
But this is AOC.
The congresswoman became a household name after winning her highly consequential primary race eight years ago. But while Ocasio-Cortez’s ideology has largely stayed intact — notably on backing student-loan debt relief, continued support for a Green New Deal, and the push for a ceasefire in Gaza — a lot has also changed since she began her career on Capitol Hill.
Ocasio-Cortez is now the vice ranking member, or the No. 2 Democrat, on the House Oversight Committee, one of the highest-profile panels in the lower chamber. It is on this committee where the congresswoman has been able to flex her own leadership skills while also working with Republican leaders.
But on Monday, Ocasio-Cortez — who became a strong ally of President Joe Biden early on in his administration — gave a speech that could appeal to Democrats across the ideological spectrum.
“Ever since I got elected, Republicans have attacked me by saying that I should go back to bartending,” she said. “But let me tell you, I’m happy to any day of the week because there is nothing wrong with working for a living.”
Ocasio-Cortez’s message leaned into the sort of economic populism that both Harris and vice-presidential candidate Tim Walz will need to win across the Upper Midwest and in states like Nevada and Pennsylvania. And the crowd ate up the congresswoman’s words.
The future
Ocasio-Cortez’s speech was seemingly a declaration to any remaining Democratic skeptics that she’s a vital voice within the party — and not the fringe figure that critics have sought to depict her as since joining Congress.
There have been some political setbacks, including her 2022 support of progressive New York state Sen. Alessandra Biaggi over then-incumbent Rep. Sean Patrick Maloney in the Democratic primary for New York’s swingy 17th congressional district. (Biaggi lost the primary and Maloney was defeated in the general election by now-Republican Rep. Mike Lawler.)
But hasn’t impacted Ocasio-Cortez being a draw for the party.
The Huffington Post reported that Ocasio-Cortez didn’t seek out the convention speaking slot, but was contacted by convention organizers about making an appearance.
Such a move shows that Ocasio-Cortez’s appeal, especially among the young voters that Harris and Walz will need to win in November, has not gone unnoticed by the party.
And judging by the energetic reception that the congresswoman received as she walked offstage, her star will likely continue to rise.
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