In a decisive win, Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) has emerged victorious in the Democratic primary for New York’s 14th Congressional District, solidifying her position for reelection in November. With 20% of the ballots counted, Ocasio-Cortez secured 82.5% of the vote, while her opponent, Martin Dolan, received 17.1%.
Dolan, a 66-year-old investment banker, had mounted a long-shot bid against the congresswoman, also known as AOC, in the district that includes parts of the Bronx and Queens. He repeatedly criticized Ocasio-Cortez for her opposition to Amazon’s 2018 plans to build a headquarters in New York City, which ultimately fell through due to controversy over the $3 billion in tax credits planned across 10 years.
A conservative business advocacy group recently intervened in the primary, spending $100,000 on billboards criticizing Ocasio-Cortez and promoting Dolan. However, the congresswoman’s strong support in the district, where Democrats outnumber Republicans 8 to 1, ensured her victory.
Even before the results were announced, Ocasio-Cortez framed her expected win as a triumph for the people of her district. On social media, she wrote, “The cynics will tell you that one vote won’t change anything. But what they don’t tell you is that nothing can change without a vote.”
Ocasio-Cortez has already secured a strong track record of victories, having become the youngest woman ever elected to Congress at age 29 after winning an upset primary victory over former longtime Rep. Joey Crowley in 2018. She has since handily won reelection contests, including a 2020 primary victory against Michelle Caruso-Cabrera, in which she secured 74.6% of the vote.
Ocasio-Cortez will face Republican Tine Forte, who ran uncontested.
