Ocasio-Cortez marks one-year anniversary of her primary win

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (N.Y.) on Wednesday took to Twitter to celebrate the one-year anniversary of her Democratic primary win.

“Today marks one year since I won my primary election. It has been a transformative year for myself, our community, and the overall progressive movement,” the freshman lawmaker tweeted.

“As I reflect throughout the day, the main sentiment I want to share with you all is: Thank you.”

Today marks one year since I won my primary election.

It has been a transformative year for myself, our community, and the overall progressive movement.

As I reflect throughout the day, the main sentiment I want to share with you all is: Thank you. pic.twitter.com/ZnejCFD3Mg

— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) June 26, 2019

Ocasio-Cortez made history by becoming the youngest woman ever elected to Congress last year. She rocketed to political stardom after her June 2018 upset win over former longtime Rep. Joseph Crowley (D) in the New York primary.{mosads}

Crowley, who was chairman of the House Democratic Caucus and represented New York’s deep-blue 14th District for 20 years, lost to Ocasio-Cortez by double digits, 57 to 43 percent. 

The election also signaled the potential for younger, less experienced candidates to defeat veteran Democratic incumbents. 

Ocasio-Cortez was 28 years old at the time of her win, and she had served as an organizer for Sen. Bernie Sanders’s (I-Vt.) 2016 presidential campaign and a bartender before her election. Crowley was 56 at the time of the primary.

Ocasio-Cortez also spent just $200,000 on her primary campaign, compared to Crowley’s $3.4 million.

Crowley called for the Democratic Party to “come together” against the Trump administration during his campaign, and he played “Born to Run” by Bruce Springsteen on the guitar during his election night event, dedicating the song to Ocasio-Cortez after her win.

Since entering office, Ocasio-Cortez has supported progressive policies like the Green New Deal and college loan forgiveness and has become a top target for Republicans who have battled the self-described democratic socialist on a variety of issues.