Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, after winning election to Congress, is portrayed as a performer by some, but others see her as a bridge between the competing visions of the Democratic Party. She is trying to build a new Democratic coalition that can consistently draw a majority of American support by seeking common ground on broadly popular issues. Through unlikely alliances with Republicans like Ted Cruz and Dan Crenshaw, she is working to bring new voters into the party and broaden her own political ambitions.
Ocasio-Cortez’s practical and results-driven approach has led to successful bipartisan efforts on issues like barring former members of Congress from becoming lobbyists and studying psychedelic drug therapy for active service members. By redefining what bipartisanship looks like in Washington, she unites politicians on the fringes of American politics around broadly popular policies. This approach offers what a sizable portion of Americans want from Congress – a return to getting things done and holding big corporations and lobbyists accountable.
Despite criticism from the left for some of her stances, such as endorsing Joe Biden for re-election and voting against funding for Israel, Ocasio-Cortez is positioning herself to help the Democratic Party expand its base and build a coalition less reliant on moderates. By focusing on issues that resonate with a large number of voters, she aims to galvanize voters of color who do not regularly show up at the polls and contrast herself with Republicans’ focus on divisive culture wars. By championing issues that resonate with working-class Americans and underrepresented communities, she is positioning herself as a tireless advocate for those the Democratic Party may have overlooked.
As a rising figure in the Democratic Party, Ocasio-Cortez has the potential to reshape the political landscape by appealing to a broad coalition of voters who feel disillusioned by the current political process. With her pragmatic and collaborative approach, she is laying the groundwork for a new era of politics that prioritizes the needs and concerns of everyday Americans. By building alliances across party lines and advocating for policies that benefit a wide range of constituents, she is positioning herself as a leader who can bridge the gap between competing factions within the Democratic Party and bring about meaningful change in Washington.
