GOP lawmaker congratulates Ocasio-Cortez on being youngest woman elected to Congress

Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-N.Y.) on Wednesday congratulated 29-year-old Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez on becoming the youngest woman in history elected to Congress, a distinction previously held by the New York Republican.

“While of a different political party, congratulations to @Ocasio2018 on becoming the newest youngest women ever elected to Congress,” Stefanik said on Twitter. “As Elizabeth Holtzman did to me, I proudly hand off that mantle to you. Work hard to encourage the next generation of women who follow!”

{mosads}Stefanik came to Congress in 2015, when she was 30 years old.

While of a different political party, congratulations to @Ocasio2018 on becoming the newest youngest women ever elected to Congress. As Elizabeth Holtzman did to me, I proudly hand off that mantle to you. Work hard to encourage the next generation of women who follow!

— Elise Stefanik (@EliseStefanik) November 7, 2018

Her congratulatory remarks come a day after Ocasio-Cortez won election to the House, easily beating GOP opponent Anthony Pappas in a district that encompasses parts of Queens and the Bronx long held by Democrats.

Ocasio-Cortez’s campaign was closely watched after the self-described democratic socialist stunned the nation in June when she toppled Caucus Chairman Joseph Crowley (D-N.Y.) in a primary election.