Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez is the youngest woman ever elected to Congress. She is a third-generation Bronxite, American democratic member Socialist of the U.S. House of Representatives. Her popularity spiked after defeating 10-term Congressman Joe Crowley who is the fourth most powerful Democrat incumbent in the House in the 14th congressional district in Democracy primary. As a result, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez became the youngest woman elected to congress.
Alexandria was elected just after a month of her birthday. It was her first time applying for the office and also as a Democratic Socialist of Puerto Rican descent. So far her achievements and victories were very impressive and brought hopes for the liberal supporters at the congress.
Life before congress
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Alexandria is a lady from New York as she was born on 13 October 1989 in The Bronx, New York. She was from a working-class family so hardworking for oneself was on her blood. She speaks fluent Spanish but she often refers to her background as a mixture of European and American influence.
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez high school and college years
Alexandria is marvelous in studies as well. She completed her high school in biochemistry at Yorktown High School. Being a straight-A student, she received a scholarship at Boston University. After Alexandria’s high school, she switched her field in studies from biochemistry by studying economics and international relations. While her studies were going on, her father was diagnosed with Lung cancer and suddenly passed away.
Her father’s death brought financial struggles in her family so she had to work at ICE. She enrolled as an intern there and was also able to support herself financially. In this job, her fluent Spanish speaking was a plus point as she dealt with family issues in the immigration department. She helped lead family members to ICE in her job.
Finally, Alexandria’s college came to an end when she graduated from Boston University in economics in 2011. Immediately after college, she moved to the Bronx and worked as an educational director at the National Hispanic Institute. At this time she was already into politics and working part-time for liberal lion. She worked under Ted Kennedy and eventually became a member of the Kennedy political dynasty. At this point in her life, she was already managing multiple jobs.
Due to the financial problems, her family was in deep in debt even her house was in stake. Her income wasn’t enough to support her family so she began working part-time as a bartender. Whenever she had some free time she would participate in the National Hispanic Institute as a Latino Political leadership. To bring a more positive light to the Bronx, she also founded Brook Avenue.
Commence of her career in Politics
Alexandria was simultaneously working as a bartender as well as involved in politics. She helped canvassed for U.S Sen. Bernie Sanders the Democratic Socialist in the 2016 Democratic primaries at the national level.
Sanders lost the nomination but he recruited his candidates called Brand New Congress to run for the house and Senate. Eventually, in the fall of 2016, Alexandria’s Congress was born. She believed in campaigns like free public college, solving immigrants’ problems, etc like Sanders.
During the years working with Sanders, she expanded her knowledge and skills in activism and political issues. Her congress campaigns were launched and funded by the public and attracted a lot of activists. She began traveling across the U.S after the elections and faced political as well as economic challenges.
In North Dakota, she went through Standing Rock Indian Reservation and Flint in Michigan. Facing a journey full of challenges made her strong and more knowledgeable. With the skills she had acquired, Alexandria was inspired to run for the political office herself. Although lacking political and financial powers, she decided to run for the party.
Alexandria continued her bartender work in New York’s Union Square. In 2018, a democratic movement to challenge Representative Joe Crowley arose. She was encouraged and decided to take part in the movement. It was itself a very difficult task as Crowley had power in Congress for over two decades and no one had challenged him since 2004. He was the one who had access to the financial resources of the party.
The campaign started and the total fund Alexandria had to spend was $194,000 whereas Crowley spent a sum of $3.4 million. The campaign was spread through social media and talking directly with the voters. During the campaigns, Alexandria’s speeches were out of the ordinary and portrayed a new kind of politics. This was the time of Trump’s presidency which spread racial agendas and higher taxes on free and rich colleges.
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez election results
Finally, on 26 June 2018, Alexandria won against Crowley with a vote of Alexandria’s 57% vote and Crowley’s 42% vote. The results were shocking and brought attention worldwide. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez then became one of the well-known figures in the history of Politics.
Alexandria went on in a fall election with professor Anthony Pappas to represent the Democratic 14th Congressional district in New York City which included Bronx and Queens. She won by gaining a 78% vote in the Democratic stronghold.
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez election
At the age of 29, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez became the youngest woman to be elected in Congress.
Since January 2019, Alexandria entered Congress. Despite being a newbie, she was extremely strong and motivated. Along with her popularity, her followers grew and in no time she was all over in social media.
Being in Congress, she addressed and solve several political issues. One of her campaigns about the ethics of buying off candidates was the most viewed political video on twitter. Alexandria strongly believes in preserving nature. Her campaigns are focused on preserving natural resources by increasing taxes on carbon and using those taxes to build renewable energies. For the people with a higher income, she implements 70% tax rates.
But with popularity comes criticism and hatred. Alexandria has been criticized and a target for many of her opponents. Whether by exposing her private life or mocking her childhood video, either way, she also became a victim of oppression. But Alexandria stands up towards her criticisms and faces them. She says the nature of the criticism can be challenging.
Democratic Socialism
Alexandria would wish for an evolution in the economy and the egalitarian system. She prefers the socialism of countries like the Soviet Union and Venezuela as incompetent. She aims to set a tax rate of 70% for the people earning more than $10 million. This is to bring equality and justice among the public.
She also supports free college education, the abolition of the Immigrations, gun reform, and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
Alexandria ocasio-cortez’s personal life
Alexandria is a catholic but does not vow to the teachings in the church. She supports abortion and LGBT rights. Currently, she is said to be single and is living alone in Washinton D.C.
