Socialist “Squad” Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez has endorsed a second moderate Democrat in 10 days for the midterms — and some of her comrades at the Democratic Socialists of America are disgusted that appears to be on the “same path as Pelosi.”
“I think it is patently obvious that AOC is a career opportunist,” slammed one DSA member in a party discussion board this week, drawing comparisons to a young California Rep. Nancy Pelosi who once advocated for taxpayer-funded universal healthcare, only to move to the center as her nearly four-decade career progressed.
“Given AOC’s mental gymnastics for aid to Israel, her backing Biden long after it was obvious he couldn’t run, and now her backing Julie Johnson, I see no reason why she isn’t on the same path as Pelosi. I definitely think we need to cut ties with her,” the member snarled.
She was referring to the Queens lawmaker endorsing Rep. Julie Johnson (D-TX) last week in the heated race for Dallas’ redrawn 33rd district, just weeks after throwing her formidable war chest behind pro-gun, drill-baby-drill Mary Peltola, who’s running for US Senate in Alaska.
“We can’t let the GOP gerrymander one of our strongest fighters out of Congress,” Ocasio-Cortez said in a video posted by Johnson on social media Jan. 23. “Julie Johnson is standing up every day in Congress to combat ICE overreach, MAGA extremism and to stand up for the freedoms of Texans everywhere. I’m supporting Julie in her run, and I hope you will too.”
But Johnson’s record — which includes a vote earlier this month for $3.3 billion in military aid to Israel — has pushed national DSA lefties to brink, with members openly questioning whether AOC violated the party’s “anti-Zionist resolution” and warrants expulsion.
Johnson has also been called out for actively trading stocks in AI giant Palantir – a company that’s helped the Trump administration track and deport illegal migrants.
Angry members suggested AOC is moving to the middle, and generating goodwill with the Democratic Party, to boost herself for future races.
“Her hopes to replace [US Sen. Chuck] Schumer or even run for president have led her to the dreaded ‘Campaign Adviser Aristocrats’ . . . who as always are telling her to. . . shift right,” lambasted one DSA attendee.
The national DSA already revoked AOC’s endorsement in 2024 because she voted in favor of a resolution reaffirming Israel’s right to exist, but she continues to be endorsed by the local NYC chapter.
AOC may be strategizing for higher office, pundits have told The Post.
“She is trying to demonstrate leadership in a very Nancy Pelosi way, and she’s like, ‘Who can win?’” said Lonna Atkeson, a political scientist at Florida State University. “She wants to show she’s willing to put the party first — party over ideology — and that is sort of a step into a more moderate version of herself.”
Johnson is facing off against former Rep. Colin Allred (D-TX) in the March 3 primary for the 33rd district. Allred represented Johnson’s current 32nd district for six years before she took office and is currently leading her by more than 20 points in the polls.
