AOC pushes back on criticism from fellow N.Y. progressive state Sen. Jessica Ramos
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez pushed back Monday against criticism from a fellow progressive lawmaker that she is missing in action from her district and not responsive to input from constituents.
The firebrand lawmaker’s spokeswoman Lauren Hitt said that Ocasio-Cortez (D-Queens, Bronx) held an event this month in the Queens district of state Sen. Jessica Ramos (D-Jackson Heights) where she met with leaders of Chhaya, a community group that helps renters and small businesses.
Hitt also said that Ocasio-Cortez’s staff was looking into reports that the congresswoman’s office turned down a meeting with advocates for a socialized medical system similar to the one in Britain.
“We’re not able to confirm if this meeting occurred, but we are continuing to look into it,” Hitt said in a statement.
New York Sen. Jessica Ramos, D-Queens (left) and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y. (right)
On Sunday, Ramos stirred a hornet’s nest in New York’s progressive political world when she complained that Ocasio-Cortez is unresponsive and rarely seen in her congressional district.
The two women are longtime allies who have district offices in the same building, making Ramos’ lengthy Twitter attack all the more surprising.
Ocasio-Cortez won backup from several allies after Ramos aired her beef in what amounts to a progressive family feud.
Sen. Julia Salazar (D-Brooklyn) said “it’s abundantly clear that [Ocasio-Cortez] is present in her district and absolutely dedicated to the communities she represents.
“We don’t need to sling mud at each other,” Salazar added in a clear message to Ramos.
Assemblyman Zohran Mamdani (D-Queens) also blasted Ramos for saying Ocasio-Cortez is rarely involved in local campaigns or issues.
"S̶h̶e̶ ̶d̶o̶e̶s̶n̶'̶t̶ ̶m̶e̶e̶t̶ ̶w̶i̶t̶h̶ ̶l̶o̶c̶a̶l̶ ̶e̶l̶e̶c̶t̶e̶d̶ ̶o̶f̶f̶i̶c̶i̶a̶l̶s̶"
"O̶k̶a̶y̶ ̶w̶e̶l̶l̶ ̶I̶ ̶p̶e̶r̶s̶o̶n̶a̶l̶l̶y̶ ̶h̶a̶v̶e̶n̶'̶t̶ ̶s̶p̶o̶k̶e̶n̶ ̶t̶o̶ ̶h̶e̶r̶"
"When I spoke to her it wasn't a meeting" https://t.co/4dGu0AXyR2 pic.twitter.com/PPlFjrzncg— Jabari Brisport🌹 (@JabariBrisport) July 25, 2022
”This just isn’t true. I have met with her multiple times [and] she has been a partner at every level of politics,” Mamdani tweeted. “Astoria is all the better for having her represent us.”
Sen. Jabari Brisport (D-Brooklyn), another key progressive in the state Senate, mocked Ramos for changing her story about the member of Congress supposedly being scarce in the district, posting a meme of people moving a soccer goal around.
Both Ocasio-Cortez and Ramos are heavily favored to win in the Aug. 23 Democratic primary and are expected to face little more than token Republican opposition in the November general election.
Some suggested Ramos has her eyes on a future challenge for Ocasio-Cortez’s seat in Congress, but the senator denied that.
