Ocasio-Cortez defeats 10-term U.S. Rep. Crowley
NEW YORK (FOX5NY.COM) - A former organizer for Sen. Bernie Sanders pulled off one of the biggest political upsets of 2018. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez defeated 10-term U.S. Rep. Joseph Crowley in the Democratic primary for New York's 14th Congressional District, which covers parts of the Bronx and Queens.
Ocasio-Cortez, 28, challenged Crowley, 56, from the left, with policies calling for the total abolishment of Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
"We beat a machine with a movement, and that is what we have done today," Ocasio-Cortez said in her victory speech. "Working-class Americans want a clear champion and there is nothing radical about moral clarity in 2018."
The race garnered national attention because Crowley is the No. 4 Democrat in the House of Representatives and was considered the likely speaker of the House should the Democrats retake the majority of seats.
Ocasio-Cortez was Crowley's first primary challenger in more than a decade. She has never held elected office.
Crowley, who relishes identifying himself as "a guy from Queens" outspent Ocasio-Cortez, a Bronx native, 18-1.
But Ocasio-Cortez, who has been a community organizer, garnered some important endorsements and appeared to energize new voters in the district.
During the campaign, Crowley pledged to support Ocasio-Cortez in the general election should he lose the primary. On Tuesday night, he reiterated his support.
"I want nothing but the best for Ms. Ocasio-Cortez," Crowley said. "I want her to be victorious."
With the AP