Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez delivered a rousing primetime speech Monday at the Democratic National Convention, urging her followers to work overtime to elect Kamala Harris to usher in a new era of progressive achievements.
Serenaded by chants of “AOC,” the firebrand progressive brought a packed house at Chicago’s United Center to its feet with calls to deliver a win for Democrats up and down the ballot in November.
“We will send a loud message that the people of this nation will not go back,” Ocasio-Cortez said. “We choose a new path and open a door to a new day, one that is for the people and by the people.”
Ocasio-Cortez regaled the crowd with her own story of working long shifts as a bartender and waitress before winning an upset victory to Congress in 2018.
She praised Harris as a leader who cares about people who punch a clock to earn a living.
“America has before us a rare and powerful opportunity,” she said. “In Kamala Harris, we have a chance to elect a president for the middle class because she is from the middle class.”
The showcase suggests Ocasio-Cortez has grown as a political force within the Democratic Party and a key messenger to young voters.
Four years ago, Ocasio-Cortez was relegated to a 90-second cameo introducing fellow progressive Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.).
The third-term Bronx-Queens lawmaker is considered one of the party’s biggest stars on social media. She carries major sway with young voters, a key demographic in what is expected to be a very close race between Harris and former President Donald Trump.
She has also moved closer to the center of power in the party, and has won plaudits for being more supportive of its leaders.
Ocasio-Cortez, 34, strongly backed President Biden throughout his term despite strong disagreements on many issues. Once Biden stepped down from the race last month, Ocasio-Cortez quickly pivoted — like most of the rest of the party — to endorse Harris.
Ocasio-Cortez is one of the strongest supporters of Palestinian rights.
But she broke with protesters on the streets outside by praising Harris for trying to end Israel’s war in Gaza.
“She is working tirelessly to bring about a ceasefire in Gaza and brining hostages home,” Ocasio-Cortez said.
Recently, the leader of the so-called Squad of progressives easily turned away a challenge in her Democratic primary. That win was in sharp contrast to fellow progressive Rep. Jamaal Bowman, who fell to challenger George Latimer after pro-Israel donors spent millions to topple him.
The theme of the night’s proceedings is “For the People.”
Ocasio-Cortez spoke after Gov. Hochul and before former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on the program in the United Center.
Women’s rights was a major focus of the night with several women speaking about their battles with Republican abortion bans in their states. Democrats want to use female speakers from across the party’s political spectrum to stress reproductive rights because it’s one of the issues that energizes their base of voters.
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