Democrats split on AOC as some battleground candidates distance themselves from 'Squad' lawmaker

Democrats are divided over how much to embrace Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York as the midterms approach. Axios reported this week that some moderates in competitive contests are turning down her backing, while other candidates in close races are glad to have it. She has become a leading voice on the left and is discussed as a possible presidential contender in 2028, according to Fox News.

Two candidates in particular seem to see her as a drag. Cait Conley, who hopes to unseat Republican Representative Mike Lawler in a New York district close to Ocasio-Cortez's own, said "I'm good" on CNN's State of the Union when asked whether she would appear on the trail with Democratic socialists such as Ocasio-Cortez or New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani. Her campaign did not answer Fox News Digital's request for comment. In Montana, Democrat Sam Forstag, who is seeking a U. S. House seat, reportedly scrubbed any mention of the congresswoman's endorsement from his website. He told Axios he does not plan to have many out-of-state surrogates campaigning with him during the last 40 days. His campaign also did not respond to Fox News Digital.

Strategists who spoke with Fox News Digital were unsurprised. Mike Nellis, who formerly advised Kamala Harris, pointed to Ocasio-Cortez's uneven standing with independents and to the fact that many voters already hold a firm view of her, favorable or not. Coalition politics is difficult, he said.

Summarized by PolitiKool from Fox News’s reporting. Read the full story at Fox News →