The young Democratic star of Congress Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez was easily re-elected Tuesday in her New York constituency, facing a Republican rival who had benefited from funds from all over the country so much “AOC”, as she is known, has become a target of pro-Trump.
According to results covering nearly 70% of bulletins, cited by the American media, the young woman crushed the Republican John Cummings (68.5% against 30.8%).
This former 60-year-old police officer had however raised more than 10 million dollars. But the 31-year-old was ahead, with more than 17 million, making this duel for a constituency covering part of Queens and the Bronx one of the most expensive of this election.
Since her election in 2018, the youngest of Congress – who caused surprise by ousting a Democratic tenor in the primaries – has become a star in the House of Representatives, embodying a new left wing of the rising Democratic Party and not hesitating to jostle the leader of the Democrats, Nancy Pelosi.
To the point of becoming one of the favorite targets of Donald Trump and the Republicans: they often cite with contempt the young woman and her “gang” or “AOC +3” – a reference to the group of elected officials who are very united with them. Ayanna Pressley from Massachusetts, Ilhan Omar from Minnesota and Rashida Tlaib from Michigan – as an example of a “leftist” drift of the Democratic Party.
According to still partial results, Ayanna Pressley and Ilhan Omar were also easily re-elected. Rashida Tlaib also enjoyed a solid lead on Tuesday night even though the count was less advanced.
“To fight for working class families in Congress is an honor, a privilege and a responsibility of my life,” Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez tweeted. “Thank you for re-electing me despite the millions spent against us.”
The popularity of the young woman is such that many see her promised to a brilliant career, as governor of New York, senator or even future presidential candidate.
Three newly elected black New Yorkers, two of whom are openly gay, also representing the left wing of the Democratic Party, should soon join “AOC” in Washington: Ritchie Torres, 32, Jamaal Bowman, 44, and Mondaire Jones, 33 years.
New York Democrats nonetheless seemed poised to cede a Congressional seat to Republicans: Nicole Malliotakis, the unsuccessful New York mayoral candidate in 2017, was well placed to beat Democrat Max Rose in a constituency that included the pro-Trump stronghold of Staten Island.
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