Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, also known as AOC, is an American politician and activist who has represented New York's 14th congressional district in the U.S.
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (AOC) is a U.S. Representative for New York's 14th district and a leading progressive voice. She became the youngest woman ever elected to Congress in 2019.
Early life and education
Ocasio-Cortez was born in the Bronx in 1989 and graduated from Boston University with a degree in international relations and economics. Before Congress, she worked in advocacy and political organizing.
2018 congressional campaign
She won national attention by defeating 10-term incumbent Joe Crowley in the Democratic primary. The upset was one of the biggest surprises of the 2018 cycle and launched her into the national spotlight.
Political views and public profile
Ocasio-Cortez supports Medicare for All, tuition-free public college, a jobs guarantee, and the Green New Deal. She is known for effective use of social media and is a prominent figure in the progressive wing of the Democratic Party.
In short
- First elected to Congress in 2018 at age 29, the youngest woman ever.
- Defeated longtime incumbent Joe Crowley in a major primary upset.
- Identifies with democratic socialism and champions progressive policies.
- Has been reelected in 2020, 2022, and 2024.
No direct Canada-specific connection is prominent in the provided sources, though her profile is often discussed in Canadian media because of her influence on progressive politics in the United States.
Quick questions
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Sources
- House.gov — http://ocasio-cortez.house.gov/aboutSupports: Sworn into Congress in January 2019; youngest woman and youngest Latina to serve in Congress.
- Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alexandria_Ocasio-CortezSupports: Election history, district representation, progressive political positions, and reelection years.
- Encyclopaedia Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/biography/Alexandria-Ocasio-CortezSupports: Birth date and place, office held since 2019, party affiliation, and characterization as a democratic socialist.
- Iowa State University Women and Politics Archive — https://awpc.cattcenter.iastate.edu/directory/alexandria-ocasio-cortezSupports: Biography, education, assumption of office, and early career details.