Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (AOC), the former outsider and far-left populist, has recently aligned more closely with the Democrat establishment by making her first dues payment to the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC). This move highlights a significant shift in her political stance since her election to Congress in 2019.
In the U.S. House of Representatives, lawmakers are expected to contribute election cycle dues to their respective party’s campaign committees, with the amounts varying based on their roles and status within the party. These contributions often influence a lawmaker’s power within the House, as they can lead to better committee assignments and more favorable treatment of their legislative initiatives. Those who withhold dues may find it challenging to advance their agendas.
Until now, Ocasio-Cortez had not contributed financially to the DCCC. Her decision to do so marks a departure from her initial stance as an anti-establishment figure. As a notable figure within the House, AOC has defended prominent Democrats, including Hunter and President Joe Biden, and has recently expressed her intent to leverage her influence within larger Democratic institutions.
“We spent a lot of time, since first coming into office in 2019, working to change this institution,” Ocasio-Cortez stated. “And we have successfully done so.”
AOC’s prowess in fundraising is well-documented, with her campaign committees raising over $37 million since 2019, according to the New York Times. Additionally, she has raised $11.1 million for various political causes that are personally important to her. Her decision to finally contribute to the DCCC, with an initial donation of $260,000 earmarked for the committee’s Voter Protection Program, underscores her evolving role within the Democratic Party. This program focuses on crucial electoral processes such as voter registration, poll observation, and litigation.
By contributing to the DCCC, Ocasio-Cortez is not only fulfilling her financial obligations but also positioning herself to exert more significant influence over party strategies and policy directions. Her actions indicate a strategic embrace of the establishment mechanisms she once critiqued, aiming to reshape them from within.
“We’ve exerted a lot of our power through our existing channels,” she added. “Now it’s time to assert our influence in larger institutions, including the D.C.C.C.” This statement encapsulates her strategy of navigating through the political landscape by leveraging her fundraising capabilities and popularity to impact broader Democratic objectives.