Democrat Ocasio-Cortez stuns political establishment
NEW YORK (FOX5NY.COM) - Tuesday night's primary in New York had a political earthquake centered in Queens.
Shocked as she saw the news of her monster win, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, 28, sent a lightning bolt to Washington: upsetting 10-term incumbent Joe Crowley, 56, the No. 4 Democrat in the House of Representatives.
Even President Trump admitted he was "shocked" by Crowley's loss. He mocking Crowley on Twitter, joking "perhaps he should have been nicer, and more respectful, to his president!"
"I can't say that I'm disappointed because I was never a big fan," Trump told reporters in the Oval Office on Wednesday. "He lost his election, probably shouldn't have lost his election. Maybe you get a little complacent."
But even though Crowley was outspoken in his opposition to the president, Ocasio-Cortez isn't shy about her dislike for Trump either.
"I would vote for the impeachment," she told Fox 5 last week.
She challenged Crowley from the political left by supporting Medicare for all, a federal jobs guarantee, and abolishing ICE, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security agency responsible for enforcing customs, trade, and immigration laws.
Fox 5 followed along as she knocked on doors in the Bronx last week. She said her optimistic agenda can get done if Democrats are able to take back control of the House in November.
"What we have the opportunity to do is elect in November a caucus that can get this stuff done, if our voters have the courage to elect them," she said.
Democrats in Washington are straddling the line between excitement for their new celebrity nominee (she is now slated to co-host ABC's The View on Friday) and mourning the ousting of their longtime colleague.
Fellow New Yorker and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer called Crowley a "fine man," adding he spoke to him this morning but was not yet able to get in touch with Ocasio-Cortez.
"She ran a great campaign and she was focused and dedicated and strong," he said, adding that Democrats are a "big tent" with room for positions like hers.