Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez
Born 1989 · Age 36
American politician and activist; U.S. Representative for New York's 14th congressional district since 2019. Progressive leader, co-author of the Green New Deal resolution, member of the 'Squad' and Democratic Socialists of America.
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Life & Career Timeline
Born in Parkchester, The Bronx
Born to Sergio Ocasio-Roman and Blanca Ocasio-Cortez in the Parkchester neighborhood of the Bronx, New York.
Family moves to Yorktown Heights
Parents moved the family ~30 minutes north to suburban Yorktown Heights for access to stronger public schools.
Graduated Yorktown High School
Completed high school in Yorktown Heights (Yorktown High School), class of 2007.
Intel International Science and Engineering Fair — 2nd place
Placed second in the microbiology category at the Intel ISEF for research on antioxidants' effect on C. elegans lifespan.
Asteroid 23238 named 'Ocasio-Cortez'
MIT Lincoln Laboratory named a small asteroid 23238 Ocasio-Cortez in appreciation of her ISEF research.
Father Sergio Ocasio-Roman died
Her father died of lung cancer during her second year of college, precipitating financial strain and a probate dispute.
Interned for Senator Ted Kennedy (foreign affairs/immigration)
Internship in Senator Ted Kennedy's office focusing on foreign affairs and immigration; worked with Spanish-speaking constituents.
Graduated Boston University, cum laude
Earned B.A. degrees in International Relations and Economics, graduated cum laude (2011).
John F. Lopez Fellowship (during college)
Held the John F. Lopez Fellowship during her undergraduate studies (experience-based learning through National Hispanic Institute).
Returned to the Bronx; began service and service jobs
Moved back to the Bronx after college; worked as a bartender and waitress to help family after foreclosure risk, and worked in nonprofit/education roles.
Founded Brook Avenue Press
Started Brook Avenue Press, a small publishing firm focused on children's books portraying the Bronx positively (later defunct).
Worked for National Hispanic Institute (Educational Director)
Served as an educational director/educator helping Latinx youth, DREAMers, and undocumented students with leadership and college readiness.
Bernie Sanders organizer
Worked as a volunteer organizer for Bernie Sanders's 2016 presidential campaign in the South Bronx, developing electoral organizing skills.
Trip to Standing Rock; political turning point
Traveled to Standing Rock protests; described the visit as a tipping point that inspired her to run for office.
Launched campaign for NY-14
Began her campaign for New York's 14th congressional district while working as a waitress/bartender at Flats Fix in Union Square.
Campaign fundraising disparity noted
Reported notable spending disadvantage versus Crowley during the primary — sources cite large disparities (examples: outspent ~18:1; figures reported include $1.5M to $83k and other reports $4.3M to $300k).
Primary upset: defeated Joe Crowley
Won the Democratic primary for NY-14 against 10-term incumbent Joe Crowley in a major upset, receiving 57.13% (15,897 votes) to Crowley's 42.5% (11,761).
Spoke at Netroots Nation (rising national profile)
Spoke at Netroots Nation in August 2018; called the undisputed star of the convention and gained national attention.
Won general election for NY-14
Elected U.S. Representative for New York's 14th district with 78% (110,318) of the vote; Republican Anthony Pappas received 14% (17,762).
C-SPAN most-watched Twitter video of House member (maiden speech)
Her first floor speech in January 2019 became C-SPAN's most-watched Twitter video of a House member within 12 hours.
Saikat Chakrabarti served as chief of staff (campaign co-chair → chief of staff)
Campaign co-chair Saikat Chakrabarti became her congressional chief of staff; his departure in 2019 generated speculation about strategy shifts.
Assumed office in U.S. House of Representatives
Sworn in as U.S. Representative for NY-14; at 29, became the youngest woman ever elected to Congress and youngest member of the 116th Congress.
Questioned Michael Cohen at Oversight hearing
Asked Michael Cohen about alleged inflated property values by President Trump, prompting wider investigations by NY AG and later legal actions vs Trump Org.
Introduced Green New Deal resolution (with Sen. Ed Markey)
Co-introduced a broad 10-year 'Green New Deal' resolution calling for net-zero emissions and a national mobilization; received widespread media attention and many cosponsors (reported ~101 cosponsors).
Featured in documentary 'Knock Down the House' (Sundance premiere)
Subject of the documentary about progressive non-career politicians; premiered at Sundance 2019 and released on Netflix May 1, 2019.
Settled Twitter blocking lawsuits
Two lawsuits for blocking critics on Twitter were settled; Ocasio-Cortez issued an apology.
Spoke at 2020 Democratic National Convention
Delivered remarks at the DNC (Aug 18, 2020), a high-profile national speaking engagement.
Twitch Among Us stream peaks at ~400,000 viewers
Hosted a Twitch stream of Among Us with Rep. Ilhan Omar and prominent streamers; peak viewership reported over 400,000, helping humanize her image.
Re-elected to Congress (2020)
Won reelection to a second term in the U.S. House of Representatives in November 2020.
Among Us Twitch stream fundraiser raised $200,000
Second Among Us stream raised $200,000 for food pantries, eviction defense legal aid, and community support during the COVID-19 pandemic.
First-term legislative accomplishments and constituent services tallies
By end of first term: introduced 23 bills; 3 amendments passed (including $5M to opioid treatment and $10M for Puerto Rico cleanup); hosted 25 town halls; district office opened 1,400 constituent cases; NY-14 institutions received $470M in federal grants.
Sworn in for second term (Jan 3, 2021)
Sworn in for a second term; days later hid during the January 6 Capitol attack and later voted to impeach President Trump a second time.
American Rescue Plan passed (AOC supported provisions)
Congress passed the $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan; AOC and progressives fought to include the expanded Child Tax Credit and other provisions.
Reintroduced Green New Deal; expanded co-sponsors
Reintroduced the Green New Deal resolution in April 2021 and grew co-sponsorship to over 115 members.
Sit-in to extend eviction moratorium
Joined Rep. Cori Bush in a multi-day sit-in on the Capitol steps after the federal eviction moratorium expired; administration temporarily extended eviction protections.
Called to increase refugee cap; worked on Afghan evacuees
Led a group (with Rep. Barbara Lee and 70 members) calling on Biden administration to raise refugee cap to 200,000 to assist Afghan evacuees.
NY-NJ floods response: FEMA disaster declaration & aid
After unprecedented floods, helped secure one of the fastest FEMA disaster declarations; nearly 25,000 NY families received $165 million in assistance.
Engaged to Riley Roberts (announced)
Announced engagement to longtime partner Riley Roberts (reported in 2022).
Re-elected (2022)
Ran unopposed in the Democratic primary and won re-election to a third term in the general election.
2022 omnibus includes ~$7M for NY-14 community projects
President Biden signed an omnibus bill including nearly $7 million in funding for 10 community projects serving NY-14 (youth interventions, workforce training, healthcare support).
Appeared in Rachel Lears film 'To the End' (climate film)
Appeared in the climate-focused documentary 'To the End', which debuted at Sundance 2022 and was presented at Tribeca Film Festival June 2022 (continued public engagement through 2023).
Social media followership milestones (X/Twitter)
Reported to have 13.1 million followers on X (formerly Twitter) as of June 2024 — large growth from 1.4M in Nov 2018.
Re-elected to Congress (2024)
Won another term in 2024 general election, defeating Republican Tina Forte; reported to have won overwhelmingly in primary against moderate challenger Marty Dolan.
DSA National Political Committee conditional endorsement (Jun 23, 2024)
The DSA NPC voted to endorse her conditionally (demands mostly concerning Palestine) — later withdrawn July 10, 2024.
DSA withdrew endorsement (Jul 10, 2024)
DSA NPC withdrew its endorsement citing concerns about statements on antisemitism/anti-Zionism and other actions.
Spoke at 2024 Democratic National Convention
Delivered remarks at the 2024 DNC (Aug 19, 2024).
Reported social media followership: Instagram & Bluesky (early 2025)
As of Jan 2025 reported 8.4M Instagram followers and as of Mar 2025 reported 2M Bluesky followers (most-followed on Bluesky).
Key Achievement Ages
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