Progressive challenger Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez defeated incumbent Rep. Joe Crowley, D-N.Y., Tuesday night, delivering the greatest primary upset of the 2018 cycle to date.
Ocasio-Cortez, 28, bested the 10-term congressman in the primary for New York’s 14th District, all but assuring her a November victory in the Democratic stronghold. Crowley’s stunning loss echoes the 2014 defeat of House Republican Majority Leader Eric Cantor at the hands of a previously unknown college professor named Dave Brat.
Crowley conceded shortly after the race was called, congratulating Ocasio-Cortez on her victory.
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“I am proud of the race we ran and, more importantly, proud of all of the work we’ve done to advance this community,” Crowley said in a statement. “The Trump administration is a threat to everything we stand for here in Queens and the Bronx, and if we don’t win back the House this November, we will lose the nation we love. This is why we must come together. We will only be able to stop Donald Trump and the Republican Congress by working together, as a united Democratic Party.”
Crowley said he looks forward to supporting Ocasio-Cortez in November. The Bronx native touted her youth and liberal policy positions from abolishing U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement to her decision not to take corporate PAC money. The newcomer, who is a member of the Democratic Socialists of America, won despite her modest fundraising hauls. Earlier this month, she had roughly $250,000, compared to Crowley’s $1.5 million.
House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif. praised Crowley for his “principled, unifying, and forward-looking leadership.”
“Our Caucus has been strengthened by his chairmanship, and by Chairman Crowley’s relentless determination to defend the inclusive America symbolized by the Statue of Liberty,” Pelosi said in a statement Tuesday night. “I salute Chairman Crowley for a formidable legacy of achievement for the people of New York. I congratulate Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez on her victory.”
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The shocking upset sent reverberations through the Democratic caucus, who acknowledged that not only is the liberal base energized, but female candidates have repeatedly walloped their male opponents in Democratic contests.
“There’s a reason I took my primary very seriously,” one House Democrat told the Washington Examiner. “I was deeply concerned about the ‘woman factor’ in this climate.”
The Democrat added that “the pro-woman dynamic in Democratic primaries this year is unlike anything I’ve ever seen.”
Rep. Filemon Vela, D-Texas, who pushed for Crowley to be the new leader, told the Washington Examiner he was “sad” for his friend but congratulates Ocasio-Cortez.
“At the end of the day our districts are more important than D.C.,” Vela said.
The devastating loss is sure to shake up the Democratic conference. Crowley, the Democratic Caucus chairman, was seen as a favorite to succeed or possibly challenge Pelosi. But a senior Democratic aide pushed back at the notion that a leadership scramble could ensue.
“Tonight’s developments have little practical impact on the race for the top Democratic slot since Pelosi has made clear that she’s staying put,” the senior aide said. “Real question is which younger Members of leadership will step up in their leadership roles. One real way to do that now is to raise money now.”
The aide added that Democrats currently “cannot afford” the huge “opportunity” Democrats have as they expanded their 2018 battlefield in their fight to retake the House.
Al Weaver contributed to this report.
