Staff Reports
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (AOC) has decided to not run against fellow Democrat Kirsten Gillibrand for her Senate seat. This decision could suggest that even Democrats have become tired of AOC’s far-left policies. But the news isn’t just being relieved by establishment Democrats who don’t want any infighting that could hurt their party’s chances at the polls-it is also being welcomed by some of AOC’s progressive allies. This concern stems from worries that a primary fight could be bruising and give Republicans an edge in the upcoming election, according to New York-based progressive political strategist Camille Rivera and an unnamed strategist affiliated with the progressive Working Families Party.
Democratic New York Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez is not planning to run a primary challenge for Kirsten Gillibrand's Senate seat in 2024. https://t.co/Yc13nEoxvZ
— USA TODAY (@USATODAY) April 30, 2023
This comes as no surprise to anyone who has been watching AOC. This is the second time in as many years that she has backed down from a potential challenge. Last year, she was rumored to be considering a run against Chuck Schumer, but it never materialized. Perhaps, after being in Congress for a few years, she’s realizing that her far-left policies aren’t as popular with voters as her supporters would like to believe.
It makes sense for AOC to focus her energy on her own district, where her constituents have elected her to represent them. She should be using her position to pass legislation that benefits her voters and her country, rather than trying to take down her fellow Democrats in the Senate. The upcoming election is crucial for both parties, and wasting resources on a primary fight could harm the Democrats’ chances of taking back control of Congress.
2024 will be a big year, and New York will be vital to taking back Congress. Democrats will need to defend seats in deep red states while also holding onto swing states. Meanwhile, Republicans won’t be fighting to get reelected in any blue or swing states. Democrats can’t afford to waste time and resources fighting amongst themselves, and AOC’s decision not to run against Gillibrand is a step in the right direction. It shows that she is finally realizing that the far-left policies she and her supporters champion aren’t always the best choice for everyone.
Source: Conservative Institute
