Image description: Alexandria Ocasio-Crotez is shown celebrating with supporters.
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez made history last night by winning the Democratic primary in New York’s 14th congressional district, composed of the Bronx and portions of Queens.
Born in the Bronx to Puerto Rican parents, Ocasio-Cortez attended Boston University and interned in the immigration office of Ted Kennedy. She campaigned on a progressive platform; advocating for the abolition of ICE, single-payer healthcare, free college tuition, and the establishment of a $15 minimum wage.
Cortez is also a member of the Democratic Socialists of America, and was a campaign organizer for Bernie Sanders during the 2016 presidential race, where she established herself as a voice for progressive Latinx people everywhere. The former seat holder was Joe Crowley, who held that position for ten terms and was one of the most likely contenders for Speaker of the House if Democrats reclaimed it in November.
Cortez was one of the many women Tuesday night to win primary elections across America and become evidence for the so-called Blue Wave threatening to flip the legislature over to the left.
If Ocasio-Cortez defeats her Republican opponent come Election Day, she would become the youngest person elected to Congress at 28 years old.
