This left-wing politician is now a favorite of the establishment
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez delivered a passionate speech at the DNC this week, successfully swaying New York centrists within her party who had previously been uncertain.
TroibNews 
CHICAGO — The Democratic establishment has come to recognize Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez as a leading figure within the party, transforming from a once-marginalized socialist into one of its most prominent voices.
Now, Ocasio-Cortez is reciprocating this embrace.
During a prime-time address at the party's recent convention, the New York Democrat sharply criticized former President Donald Trump, labeling him a “two-bit union buster,” while also extending her support to Vice President Kamala Harris. Her fiery speech resonated with delegates and garnered respect from party leaders, who are beginning to consider her political trajectory.
Ocasio-Cortez's growth signifies that mainstream Democrats acknowledge her as one of the party's luminaries, coinciding with a shift leftward in their platform, influenced by her fellow progressives and populist economic themes.
Moderate Democrats in New York recognize Ocasio-Cortez’s exceptional potential, despite her youth at 34, which disqualifies her from the presidency. Rep. Tom Suozzi, a centrist Democrat whose suburban district is wary of figures like Ocasio-Cortez, believes she has effectively toned down her positions. “She’s in way better shape to run for statewide office than I ever was, because she can appeal in a Democratic primary a lot better than I can,” said Suozzi, who previously ran unsuccessfully for governor.
The developing relationship between moderate Democrats and Ocasio-Cortez benefits both parties and is driving discussions about her political ambitions, particularly as she surpasses more centrist leaders in New York. New York City Mayor Eric Adams, who once claimed to be the future of the Democratic Party, finds himself relegated at the national convention amid a federal investigation into his campaign. Meanwhile, Gov. Kathy Hochul, a party mainstay, lacks the same level of celebrity or presence.
Ocasio-Cortez's speech attracted widespread praise within the party, even from some cautious supporters. “I thought AOC was outstanding last night,” remarked New York Democratic Chair Jay Jacobs, a Hochul ally, during a breakfast with the state delegation the following day. “Don’t tell her I said that, will you?”
Despite her growing prominence, Ocasio-Cortez faces hurdles in expanding her ambitions within New York. The state's political landscape is crowded, with Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer showing no intention of vacating his long-held seat, while Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand is poised for another six-year term. Additionally, Hochul has made clear her plans to seek reelection in 2026.
Should Ocasio-Cortez aim for a higher office, she would need to address a different electorate compared to the safe Bronx-Queens district she represents, which she won in a stunning primary upset over Rep. Joe Crowley in 2018. Although New York is overwhelmingly Democratic, its voters tend to be moderate, especially regarding public safety. Progressive candidates have struggled to capture more than 35 percent of the vote in high-profile gubernatorial races in the past decade.
Ocasio-Cortez’s advancement parallels the Democratic convention’s efforts to showcase its broad appeal. Sen. Bernie Sanders, a mentor and fellow socialist, condemned the influence of billionaires in politics, which was followed by Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker’s self-proclamation as “an actual billionaire” while taking a jab at Trump.
However, Ocasio-Cortez's positions sometimes clash with those held by influential Democrats in New York. Hochul has urged candidates to adopt a more moderate platform, resisting progressive calls to raise taxes on the wealthiest New Yorkers.
Interestingly, Ocasio-Cortez’s fortunes this summer diverged from her fellow Squad members, as Reps. Jamaal Bowman and Cori Bush experienced primary losses to moderate contenders while she comfortably secured her renomination in June.
Over the past six years, Ocasio-Cortez has shifted towards a party she once distrusted deeply. After her victory over Crowley spawned a wave of progressive activism, she now finds herself as a prominent defender of President Biden in the face of critics urging him to step aside. Her stance on the Israel-Hamas conflict reveals her attempt to find a middle ground, commending Harris for her efforts toward a ceasefire while advocating for Palestinian visibility.
Her movement toward the establishment, however, has not gone unnoticed by some left-leaning supporters who lament her inclination to endorse mainstream Democrats. In her address on Monday night, she praised Harris for “working tirelessly to secure a cease-fire in Gaza and bringing the hostages home.” This was among the first mentions of the divisive war at the convention, leading to criticism from some progressive figures. “It’s depressing to watch someone who said, a few years ago, that she and Biden shouldn’t be in the same party, try to have her ‘Obama DNC’ moment and ascend within the same corrupt party that’s currently underwriting a genocide,” commented Briahna Joy Gray, a former aide to Sanders.
Despite these critiques, Ocasio-Cortez demonstrated her willingness to challenge the party’s narratives, notably expressing her disappointment on X about the absence of a Palestinian-American speaker at the convention.
Looking ahead, Ocasio-Cortez’s allies grapple with her unique position in New York politics, where all statewide offices are currently held by Democrats not indicating plans for retirement. While she is the most recognizable House member from New York, she has significantly less institutional power compared to figures like Schumer and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries.
“No matter what she goes for next or even if she chooses to stay in Congress, she’s going to become a much more powerful and popular voice for the New York state Democratic Party,” said Erica Vladimer, a progressive member of the New York Democratic committee.
Experts in polling believe Ocasio-Cortez would stand out in a statewide campaign due to her widespread name recognition compared to past progressive contenders like New York City Public Advocate Jumaane Williams or actor Cynthia Nixon. “Were she to decide to run statewide, she would be different,” remarked Siena College pollster Steve Greenberg. “She’s far more well known. And what she did at the convention this week shows she’s not an outsider; she’s very much an insider.”
While there is support for her progressive proposals like raising taxes on wealthy individuals and expanding healthcare under a single-payer system, these ideas might be scrutinized in a general election, even in predominantly Democratic New York, particularly against a Republican opponent in more moderate regions of the state. “In a Democratic primary, a lot of those positions are pretty mainstream,” said Jack O’Donnell, a Democratic consultant. “But all of that could certainly be used against her in a general election.”
This election cycle appears quiet for her, as Ocasio-Cortez’s team is focused on her own reelection and has never envisioned a primary challenge against Gillibrand, according to Jasmine Gripper, co-director of the progressive Working Families Party. Instead, Gripper noted, she is “building her base in her own backyard.”
“The superpower Ocasio-Cortez has is that she wants to get things done. She works really hard to be effective,” Gripper added. “She doesn’t have tunnel vision; she’s not blindsided by pure ideology.”
Emily Ngo contributed to this report.
Sophie Wagner contributed to this report for TROIB News
Now, Ocasio-Cortez is reciprocating this embrace.
During a prime-time address at the party's recent convention, the New York Democrat sharply criticized former President Donald Trump, labeling him a “two-bit union buster,” while also extending her support to Vice President Kamala Harris. Her fiery speech resonated with delegates and garnered respect from party leaders, who are beginning to consider her political trajectory.
Ocasio-Cortez's growth signifies that mainstream Democrats acknowledge her as one of the party's luminaries, coinciding with a shift leftward in their platform, influenced by her fellow progressives and populist economic themes.
Moderate Democrats in New York recognize Ocasio-Cortez’s exceptional potential, despite her youth at 34, which disqualifies her from the presidency. Rep. Tom Suozzi, a centrist Democrat whose suburban district is wary of figures like Ocasio-Cortez, believes she has effectively toned down her positions. “She’s in way better shape to run for statewide office than I ever was, because she can appeal in a Democratic primary a lot better than I can,” said Suozzi, who previously ran unsuccessfully for governor.
The developing relationship between moderate Democrats and Ocasio-Cortez benefits both parties and is driving discussions about her political ambitions, particularly as she surpasses more centrist leaders in New York. New York City Mayor Eric Adams, who once claimed to be the future of the Democratic Party, finds himself relegated at the national convention amid a federal investigation into his campaign. Meanwhile, Gov. Kathy Hochul, a party mainstay, lacks the same level of celebrity or presence.
Ocasio-Cortez's speech attracted widespread praise within the party, even from some cautious supporters. “I thought AOC was outstanding last night,” remarked New York Democratic Chair Jay Jacobs, a Hochul ally, during a breakfast with the state delegation the following day. “Don’t tell her I said that, will you?”
Despite her growing prominence, Ocasio-Cortez faces hurdles in expanding her ambitions within New York. The state's political landscape is crowded, with Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer showing no intention of vacating his long-held seat, while Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand is poised for another six-year term. Additionally, Hochul has made clear her plans to seek reelection in 2026.
Should Ocasio-Cortez aim for a higher office, she would need to address a different electorate compared to the safe Bronx-Queens district she represents, which she won in a stunning primary upset over Rep. Joe Crowley in 2018. Although New York is overwhelmingly Democratic, its voters tend to be moderate, especially regarding public safety. Progressive candidates have struggled to capture more than 35 percent of the vote in high-profile gubernatorial races in the past decade.
Ocasio-Cortez’s advancement parallels the Democratic convention’s efforts to showcase its broad appeal. Sen. Bernie Sanders, a mentor and fellow socialist, condemned the influence of billionaires in politics, which was followed by Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker’s self-proclamation as “an actual billionaire” while taking a jab at Trump.
However, Ocasio-Cortez's positions sometimes clash with those held by influential Democrats in New York. Hochul has urged candidates to adopt a more moderate platform, resisting progressive calls to raise taxes on the wealthiest New Yorkers.
Interestingly, Ocasio-Cortez’s fortunes this summer diverged from her fellow Squad members, as Reps. Jamaal Bowman and Cori Bush experienced primary losses to moderate contenders while she comfortably secured her renomination in June.
Over the past six years, Ocasio-Cortez has shifted towards a party she once distrusted deeply. After her victory over Crowley spawned a wave of progressive activism, she now finds herself as a prominent defender of President Biden in the face of critics urging him to step aside. Her stance on the Israel-Hamas conflict reveals her attempt to find a middle ground, commending Harris for her efforts toward a ceasefire while advocating for Palestinian visibility.
Her movement toward the establishment, however, has not gone unnoticed by some left-leaning supporters who lament her inclination to endorse mainstream Democrats. In her address on Monday night, she praised Harris for “working tirelessly to secure a cease-fire in Gaza and bringing the hostages home.” This was among the first mentions of the divisive war at the convention, leading to criticism from some progressive figures. “It’s depressing to watch someone who said, a few years ago, that she and Biden shouldn’t be in the same party, try to have her ‘Obama DNC’ moment and ascend within the same corrupt party that’s currently underwriting a genocide,” commented Briahna Joy Gray, a former aide to Sanders.
Despite these critiques, Ocasio-Cortez demonstrated her willingness to challenge the party’s narratives, notably expressing her disappointment on X about the absence of a Palestinian-American speaker at the convention.
Looking ahead, Ocasio-Cortez’s allies grapple with her unique position in New York politics, where all statewide offices are currently held by Democrats not indicating plans for retirement. While she is the most recognizable House member from New York, she has significantly less institutional power compared to figures like Schumer and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries.
“No matter what she goes for next or even if she chooses to stay in Congress, she’s going to become a much more powerful and popular voice for the New York state Democratic Party,” said Erica Vladimer, a progressive member of the New York Democratic committee.
Experts in polling believe Ocasio-Cortez would stand out in a statewide campaign due to her widespread name recognition compared to past progressive contenders like New York City Public Advocate Jumaane Williams or actor Cynthia Nixon. “Were she to decide to run statewide, she would be different,” remarked Siena College pollster Steve Greenberg. “She’s far more well known. And what she did at the convention this week shows she’s not an outsider; she’s very much an insider.”
While there is support for her progressive proposals like raising taxes on wealthy individuals and expanding healthcare under a single-payer system, these ideas might be scrutinized in a general election, even in predominantly Democratic New York, particularly against a Republican opponent in more moderate regions of the state. “In a Democratic primary, a lot of those positions are pretty mainstream,” said Jack O’Donnell, a Democratic consultant. “But all of that could certainly be used against her in a general election.”
This election cycle appears quiet for her, as Ocasio-Cortez’s team is focused on her own reelection and has never envisioned a primary challenge against Gillibrand, according to Jasmine Gripper, co-director of the progressive Working Families Party. Instead, Gripper noted, she is “building her base in her own backyard.”
“The superpower Ocasio-Cortez has is that she wants to get things done. She works really hard to be effective,” Gripper added. “She doesn’t have tunnel vision; she’s not blindsided by pure ideology.”
Emily Ngo contributed to this report.
Sophie Wagner contributed to this report for TROIB News
