Ocasio-Cortez backs Engel’s challenger in primary
Despite a less-than-stellar record on past endorsements, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., said Wednesday that she was going to throw her support behind Rep. Eliot Engel’s primary challenger.
“This moment requires renewed and revitalized leadership across the country AND at the ballot box,” she tweeted, as she lent her support to Jamaal Bowman, an educator.Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez✔@AOC
This moment requires renewed and revitalized leadership across the country AND at the ballot box.
On June 23rd, New York will be holding primary elections.
Tomorrow I will be rolling out a slate of New York endorsements.
Tonight, I am endorsing @JamaalBowmanNY for Congress.
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Earlier this year, Ocasio-Cortez announced the Courage to Change PAC, which was seen at the time as a threat to established Democrats. Despite her freshman status in the House, she is popular and her endorsement is seen as a gateway to the younger vote. Steve Bannon, the former White House chief strategist, once called Ocasio-Cortez one of the most powerful politicians in Washington.
She called Bowman, who is African American, “a profound community leader.” Engel’s district has mostly black and Hispanic voters.
Engel has reported raising more than $1.6 million through March, about triple Bowman’s haul. But Engel has been accused of spending insufficient time in his district, and Bowman’s challenge is considered legitimate.
Engel was also caught on a hot mic Tuesday saying he “wouldn’t care” about not being allowed to speak at a news conference about the unrest in his Bronx district following the death of Georg Floyd – if he wasn’t in a competitive Democratic primary.Emily Ngo✔@emilyngo ·
.@RepEliotEngel, criticized by primary challengers for not returning to his Bronx/Westchester district for months during COVID crisis, now at presser in the Bronx with city and state elected officials https://twitter.com/CWEBCRUZER/status/1267868121244798978 …David Cruz@CWEBCRUZERLast night was a tough night, says @rubendiazjr, speaking at a news conference following last night’s protests in the #Bronx.
Says that between #GeorgeFloyd and #COVID19 it makes sense that there are protests.
He condemns the vandalism in the community.Emily Ngo✔@emilyngo
!!! @RepEliotEngel heard on hot mic asking @rubendiazjr for a turn to speak, says twice, “If I didn’t have a primary, I wouldn’t care.”
Diaz responds, “Don’t do that to me.”
(h/t @News12BX livestream)
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“If I didn’t have a primary, I wouldn’t care,” Engel can be heard telling Bronx President Ruben Diaz twice, as he asks for a chance to speak at a news conference with city and state officials.
Engel later explained his comments to an NY1 reporter: “In the context of running for reelection, I thought it was important for people to know where I stand, that’s why I asked to speak. Of course, I care deeply about what’s happening in this country, that’s what I wanted to convey. I love the Bronx, grew up in the Bronx and lived here all my life,” he said. “I would not have tried to impose on the borough president if I didn’t think it was important.”
