Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez

About Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, also known by her initials AOC, is an American far-left, progressive politician. She has served as the Representative from the 14th Congressional district since 2019, as a member of the Democratic Party.

On June 26, 2018, Ocasio-Cortez drew national recognition when she won the Democratic Party's primary election for New York's 14th congressional district. She defeated Democratic Caucus Chair Joe Crowley, a 10-term incumbent, in what was widely seen as the biggest upset victory in the 2018 midterm election primaries. She easily won the November general election, defeating Republican Anthony Pappas. She was reelected in the 2020 and 2022 elections.

Taking office at age 29, Ocasio-Cortez is the youngest woman ever to serve in the United States Congress. She has been noted for her substantial social media presence relative to her fellow members of Congress. Ocasio-Cortez attended Boston University, where she double-majored in international relations and economics, graduating cum laude. She was previously an activist and worked as a waitress and bartender before running for Congress in 2018.

Alongside Rashida Tlaib, Ocasio-Cortez was the first female member of the Democratic Socialists of America elected to serve in Congress. She advocates a progressive platform that includes support for workplace democracy, Medicare for All, tuition-free public college, a federal jobs guarantee, a Green New Deal, and abolishing the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

Ocasio-Cortez is a member of "The Squad," a group of progressive House members that includes Ilhan Omar, Ayanna Pressley, Rashida Tlaib, Cori Bush, and Summer Lee.

As of September 2024, Ocasio-Cortez has amassed 8.1 million followers on Instagram, 1.0 million followers on TikTok, 97,700 subscribers on YouTube and 923,000 followers on her Twitch platform.