Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez Sees Popularity With New York Republicans Surge
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources.
Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content.
Democratic Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York has been traveling the country in opposition of President Donald Trump and his administration's policies. She's even more popular now among New York Republicans than she was six years ago.
Why It Matters
Ocasio-Cortez is one of the Democratic Party's most influential lawmakers. She's been viewed by members of both major parties as both a lightning rod and an advocate for change, in a similar vein to Trump himself.
She and progressive firebrand Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders have traveled the country in recent weeks as part of their "Fighting Oligarchy" tour, which has attracted huge crowds in both red and blue states—including over 30,000 attendees in a Trump-won California district and over 12,000 in Idaho.
What To Know
Ocasio-Cortez, who has served New York's 14th congressional district since 2019, is drawing more appeal from members of the political opposition, according to new polling.
A survey of 802 New York State voters conducted by the Siena College Research Institute between April 14-16 shows that 21 percent of statewide Republicans view her in a "favorable" light. About 60 percent of Republicans said the opposite, while 19 percent weren't sure or offered no opinion on her.
U.S. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) smiles as she enters to a full auditorium as part of the "Fighting Oligarchy" tour on April 14, 2025, in Nampa, Idaho.
U.S. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) smiles as she enters to a full auditorium as part of the "Fighting Oligarchy" tour on April 14, 2025, in Nampa, Idaho.It's a dramatic shift from when she was first elected. A Siena survey of 700 statewide voters in March 2019 showed that just 6 percent of New York Republicans viewed her favorably, while 51 percent viewed her unfavorably.
The same poll from six years ago asked if Ocasio-Cortez was a "hero" or "villain," to which just 2 percent of Republicans at the time viewed her as a "hero." The question was not asked in the most recent survey.
About 64 percent Democrats viewed her in a favorable manner in the most recent poll, up from 47 percent in March 2019.
Ocasio-Cortez is also more popular statewide in the most recent Siena survey than her Democratic counterpart, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer. Schumer's 39 percent favorable and 49 percent unfavorable ratings pale in comparison to Ocasio-Cortez's 47 percent favorable and 33 percent unfavorable ratings.
The fourth-term congresswoman is the most well-liked New York elected official of anyone per the poll, topping Democratic Governor Kathy Hochul, Democratic Representative Richie Torres, Republican Representative Mike Lawler, and Trump.
What People Are Saying
Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez at a recent rally in Los Angeles: "I heard that someone was flying a plane with a banner that said this is Trump country... It sure don't look like it today. I don't think this is Trump country. This is our country."
Former 538 staffer Galen Druke: "I think there's a lot of points in her favor at this very moment. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez has broad appeal across the Democratic Party."
What Happens Next
While speculation has surrounded former Senator and Vice President Kamala Harris as it pertains to the Democratic nominees in 2028, a new poll from Data for Progress found that her popularity may be dwindling in favor of other candidates, including Ocasio-Cortez, former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, and Senator Cory Booker of New Jersey.
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