WASHINGTON (AP) — The Democratic party’s newest star, New York City congressional candidate Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, visited the Capitol Tuesday to meet with lawmakers who may soon be colleagues.
The 28-year-old former bartender, who defeated one of the most powerful House Democrats last month, had lunch with California Democratic Rep. Ro Khanna and met with several members of the Congressional Progressive Caucus.
Khanna was the only member of Congress to endorse Ocasio-Cortez, a self-described democratic socialist, before her upset victory over Rep. Joe Crowley, a member of the House Democratic leadership.
Khanna called Ocasio-Cortez “a bold champion for progressive values” and said he looks forward to working with her in Congress.
Ocasio-Cortez released a statement saying she looks forward to Khanna’s “friendship and mentorship as we fight hard day in and day out for progressive values in Congress.”
Another New York Democrat, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, did not meet with Ocasio-Cortez, but said he was not concerned that her brand of politics could drag down Democrats in less liberal states.
“On economic issues, Democrats are united in a very strong way,” Schumer told reporters. “We’re all for improving health care and lowering the cost, … making it easier for middle-class people and people trying to get there to get a good job. The unity on issues is very strong.”
Hawaii Rep. Tulsi Gabbard, a member of the progressive caucus, said she talked with Ocasio-Cortez for about 15 minutes in her office. “It was nice to meet her,” Gabbard said.
The caucus co-chairs, Arizona Rep. Raul Grijalva and Wisconsin Rep. Mark Pocan, also met separately with Ocasio-Cortez.
A spokesman for Pocan said they discussed possible committee assignments, what she hoped to work on in Congress and how the progressive caucus could work with her.
Ocasio-Cortez has caused a stir in Democratic politics since her surprise victory. She has emerged as the face of a growing democratic socialist movement that emphasizes government-paid health care for all, a $15 minimum wage, free college tuition and the abolition of the federal department of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, also known as ICE.
Ocasio-Cortez campaigned last week in Kansas, headlining a rally with Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders that drew a crowd of more than 3,000 in a suburb of Kansas City.
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Associated Press writer Alan Fram contributed to this story.
I like Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez quite a lot, but can we wait until she actually is in office for a few years to hand the reigns of the Democratic Party to a 29 year old from the Democratic Socialists of America? That was just a thought.
And shouldn’t she be at home campaigning to make the case that her priority is/will be the constituents of the district? I am rooting for her, but its starting to look like she is on a national road-show at the very time when she should be campaigning sends a certain kind of message back home, and could backfire.
Alexandria, get ready to meet some old pickle farts. They don’t like youngiin’s gettin’ a slice of their pie. No they do not. You’re more charming and intelligent though. I think you’ll be fine.
I’m getting just a smidge concerned by the trend of “Hero Worship” That is seeming to surround her.
I hear a lot about her “message”, but just like Bernie before her… I’m not hearing specifics.
Also, the victory laps around the country for winning a primary for a New York seat, is a bit… premature.
The message…yes, but how different is her message from the rest of democrats, really? It’s like Sanders and HRC, their messages were very similar. The difference is in where the campaign money comes from and the charisma. Ocasio is charismatic and young and her stance appeals to her constituents which is great. However, what works in her district doesn’t necessarily work in western PA. That’s what dems have to keep in mind. The entire nation is not Sanders country as Greenwald, and the rest of far left believe. Right now, they continue to cause us problems of unity.