Even as Ocasio-Cortez ran defiantly to his left -- with universal health care, a federal jobs guarantee and the abolition of ICE headlining her demands -- Crowley touted a formidable liberal record of his own. He was the first member of the House Democratic leadership to sign on in support of "Medicare for all" and has been a vocal advocate for immigrants' rights. But he also stumbled, repeatedly, on the campaign trail, the likely residue of passing so many years without a primary test.
Who is Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez?
Who is Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez?
Citing scheduling conflicts, he missed a debate in the Bronx with Ocasio-Cortez, sending former city councilwoman Annabel Palma as a surrogate. The New York Times editorial board took note of his no-show, and warned the ambitious congressman against taking his constituents for granted.
"What are we," the board asked on behalf of voters, "chopped liver?"
In an interview hours before the polls opened Tuesday, Ocasio-Cortez called his absence that night "disrespectful, not just to me but to the entire community." On Twitter after the debate, she noted that Palma, also Latina, bore a "slight resemblance to me."
"I understand he hasn't been challenged for 14 years," Ocasio-Cortez said, "but that doesn't mean that an election isn't happening. In fact, what's happening right now is historic and it's an opportunity to show up for the community."
