On Tuesday, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez shocked the system and the nation by handily defeating 10-term incumbent Democrat Joe Crowley in New York’s 14th congressional district, an area that represents Queens and the Bronx. A Democratic Socialist who worked on Bernie Sanders’ campaign, the 28-year-old Ocasio-Cortez stood on her own merits, positions and energy, backed by a very well run campaign. She was outraised 10-to-1 and outspent 18-to-1 by Crowley, but her story resonated with the district—with many learning about her background from her breakout campaign film.
