The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is reportedly planning to endorse Democratic Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s primary challenger.
The influential organization, which typically leans toward conservative candidates that are allies of the business community, will endorse Democratic candidate Michelle Caruso-Cabrera, who is running against Ocasio-Cortez to represent New York’s 14th Congressional District, according to Politico.
A source told Politico that the group will raise money for Caruso-Cabrera, a former CNBC anchor, and mobilize the local business community in Queens, New York, heading into the primary scheduled for June 23.
“Michelle is one of the most qualified and competent candidates we have met with this cycle,” Scott Reed, senior political strategist at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, said. “We plan on using our national network to get her the financial resources to win this race.”
Caruso-Cabrera is hoping to make an impression on voters who don’t align with Ocasio-Cortez’s liberal policies, such as “Medicare for all” and eliminating Immigration and Customs Enforcement, but she faces an uphill battle when it comes to out-fundraising Ocasio-Cortez, who brought in $5 million last year.
The Caruso-Cabrera campaign announced Wednesday it raised $1 million and will report having $800,000 cash on hand when her financial disclosures are officially filed.
“I am the daughter and granddaughter of working class Italian and Cuban immigrants,” Caruso-Cabrera said in a statement after announcing her plan to run for office in February. “I am so lucky to have had such a wonderful career and I want everybody to have the opportunity that I’ve had. That’s why I’m running.”
