Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez claims Rep. Joe Crowley, D-N.Y., whom she beat in the Democratic primary last month, won’t support her candidacy and has launched a third-party challenge.
However, the 10-term incumbent says he is done campaigning.
Ocasio-Cortez, who if elected would become the youngest woman to ever be sworn into the House, said on Thursday that Crowley stood her up for three scheduled concession calls after saying he would support her campaign. She accused him of mounting a third-party campaign against her and the Democratic Party.
“.@repjoecrowley stated on live TV that he would absolutely support my candidacy. Instead, he’s stood me up for all 3 scheduled concession calls. Now, he’s mounting a 3rd party challenge against me and the Democratic Party- and against the will of @NYWFP.”
.@repjoecrowley stated on live TV that he would absolutely support my candidacy.
Instead, he’s stood me up for all 3 scheduled concession calls.
Now, he’s mounting a 3rd party challenge against me and the Democratic Party- and against the will of @NYWFP.https://t.co/Xvb6Jk8N8q
— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@Ocasio2018) July 12, 2018
Crowley responded to Ocasio-Cortez’s claims on Twitter, claiming he already made his support for her and his intention not to run again “clear” and blamed her team for not following through on scheduled calls.
“Alexandria, the race is over and Democrats need to come together,” Crowley said in a response tweet. “I’ve made my support for you clear and the fact that I’m not running. We’ve scheduled phone calls and your team has not followed through. I’d like to connect but I’m not willing to air grievances on Twitter.”
Alexandria, the race is over and Democrats need to come together. I’ve made my support for you clear and the fact that I’m not running. We’ve scheduled phone calls and your team has not followed through. I’d like to connect but I’m not willing to air grievances on Twitter. https://t.co/hxEeWEpI2O
— Joe Crowley (@JoeCrowleyNY) July 12, 2018
He even clarified in another tweet that he was honored to have the support of New York Working Families Party, but that he would not be running as a third party candidate against Ocasio-Cortez.
“Lots questions about WFP line. Was honored to have their support. I’m not running,” Crowley tweeted.
Lots questions about WFP line. Was honored to have their support. I’m not running. For record you can only be removed from the ballot if 1) you move out of NY; 2) die; 3) be convicted of a crime; 4) accept a nomination for another office (in a place I don’t live).
— Joe Crowley (@JoeCrowleyNY) July 12, 2018
Crowley, who ran unopposed in years past, lost in the Democratic primary for the 14th Congressional District to the young socialist challenger who had never run for public office before.
