Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez was born October 13, 1989, in the Bronx, New York, to a working-class Puerto Rican family. She attended Boston University, studying international relations and economics, and worked a variety of jobs — including as a bartender and organizer — before running for Congress. Her personal story became central to her political identity as a young, grassroots, progressive challenger to the Democratic establishment.
In 2018, Ocasio-Cortez stunned the political world by defeating longtime incumbent Rep. Joe Crowley in the Democratic primary for New York's 14th Congressional District, a heavily Democratic, majority-minority seat. She became, at the time, the youngest woman ever elected to the U.S. House of Representatives and an instant national figure on the progressive left.
A member of "The Squad," AOC has been a leading voice for democratic socialism and left-wing policy priorities in Congress, pushing proposals like the Green New Deal, Medicare for All, tuition-free public college, and aggressive climate and inequality reforms. She is known for her social media presence, frequent public town halls, and confrontational style in committee hearings, often clashing with Republicans and moderate Democrats alike.
Ocasio-Cortez has also become a major fundraiser and organizer within progressive circles, helping recruit and support ideologically aligned candidates around the country. She occupies a distinct role in national politics: a prominent, highly polarizing figure who represents the left flank of the Democratic Party and a generational shift toward more diverse, movement-based representation.
Democratic Socialist
Achievements
- Defeated a powerful Democratic incumbent in 2018, becoming one of the most high-profile progressive members of Congress.
- Co-introduced the Green New Deal framework, which helped move climate policy and environmental justice to the center of Democratic debates.
- Built a massive small-dollar fundraising base and national network of volunteers, showing the potency of online organizing and left-wing grassroots campaigns.
- Serves as a leading voice for progressive priorities such as Medicare for All, student debt relief, labor rights, and affordable housing.
Controversies
- Frequently targeted by Republicans and conservative media for her democratic socialist views, social media presence, and rhetorical style, contributing to a highly polarized public image.
- Criticized by some moderate Democrats for pushing the party too far left on issues like policing, climate, and economic policy, which they argue can complicate campaigns in swing districts.
- Faced ethics complaints and scrutiny over attendance at events like the Met Gala and questions about the handling of gifts, invitations, and compliance with House rules.
- Internal tensions with some labor leaders and local officials after her opposition to certain corporate development deals, such as Amazon's abandoned HQ2 project in New York City.
Top Donors
| Donor | Total | Individuals | PACs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Google Inc | $35,864 | $35,864 | $0 |
| New York City Dept of Education | $18,638 | $18,638 | $0 |
| Apple Inc | $17,360 | $17,360 | $0 |
| Kaiser Permanente | $17,256 | $17,256 | $0 |
| City University of New York | $16,507 | $16,507 | $0 |
These contributions primarily reflect individual employees and small-dollar donors associated with technology, education, and healthcare institutions rather than corporate PAC checks.