In a hotly contested primary, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-NY, has clinched victory, securing her spot as the Democratic candidate for New York’s 14th Congressional District. The 34-year-old progressive, famously known as AOC, triumphed over 66-year-old investment banker Marty Dolan, who ran as a moderate alternative.
Dolan attacked Ocasio-Cortez for being too extreme and out of touch, focusing on issues like the migrant crisis, bail reform, and NYC’s economic struggles. Despite his criticisms and a campaign funded mostly by personal loans, he couldn’t match AOC’s $8 million war chest or her grassroots support.
Ocasio-Cortez, who first stunned the political world in 2018 by unseating a 10-term incumbent, highlighted her legislative wins and dedication to income inequality, climate change, and social justice. Her decision to skip debates with Dolan sparked some backlash but didn’t dent her voter base.
Voter turnout was high, reflecting passionate support on both sides. In many underserved areas, Ocasio-Cortez’s advocacy resonated strongly.
With this primary win, AOC is now set for the November general election, where she is the heavy favorite in this solidly Democratic district.
The news comes just one day after Representative Jamaal Bowman of New York faced a harsh primary defeat on Tuesday. He was unable to overcome a record-breaking campaign by pro-Israel groups and a series of self-inflicted errors.
Bowman lost to George Latimer, the Westchester County executive, in what turned out to be the ugliest and most expensive House primary of the year.
The battle began last fall when Bowman emerged as a leading critic of Israel’s actions in the conflict with Hamas. However, the race soon evolved into a larger proxy war over the Democratic Party’s future, revealing deep divisions over race, class, and ideology within a district that spans parts of Westchester County and the Bronx.
As the district’s first Black congressman and a staunch democratic socialist, Bowman remained steadfast in his calls for a ceasefire in Gaza and his left-wing economic policies. Despite trailing in the polls, he accused his white opponent of racism and harshly criticized pro-Israel groups, referring to them as a “Zionist regime” attempting to buy the election.
