Ocasio-Cortez urges left to evolve
The gist
New York congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, 37, has privately urged fellow democratic socialists to foster a "culture of welcoming" over "intimidation."
Her bigger-tent push comes as she weighs 2028 options and courts midterm candidates.
How it unfolded
- 2018Days after becoming the youngest woman elected to Congress, Ocasio-Cortez praised hundreds of climate activists staging a sit-in at Rep. Nancy Pelosi's office, echoing demands that House Democrats move further left on climate policy.
- May 2026Ocasio-Cortez joined Sam Forstag, a House candidate in Montana, at a rally in Missoula; she has campaigned in several states this cycle.
- Nov 1, 2026The New York Times reports Ocasio-Cortez has urged fellow democratic socialists in private discussions to foster a "culture of welcoming" rather than of "intimidation," and has called for "really big carrots" to attract new allies.