United States Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (Democrat of New York), makes remarks at the 2024 Democratic National Convention in Chicago, Illinois, USA, at the United Center on Monday, August 19, 2024. The convention theme for this evening is âÂÂFor the People.â Credit: Ron Sachs / CNP for NY Post 2024 Democratic National Convention
UPDATE: Republicans are launching a fierce attack on Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez following her provocative remarks during a visit to Rep. Elise Stefanik‘s district in Plattsburgh, New York, earlier today. During a town hall event, Ocasio-Cortez declared that Stefanik is “not welcome here anymore,” igniting a firestorm of criticism from GOP leaders.
The event, which was intended as a response to President Donald Trump‘s “One Big Beautiful Bill,” saw Ocasio-Cortez mocking Stefanik’s recent attempts to secure a position as the US ambassador to the United Nations. “Elise did her farewell tour, and I think it’s time to finish the job,” she shouted to an enthusiastic crowd at the historic Strand Theater, approximately 300 miles away from her home district in The Bronx and Queens.
Stefanik, whose ambassador nomination was rescinded by Trump due to concerns over a potential Democratic replacement for her House seat, is now campaigning for governor. “AOC and [Democratic North Country Rep.] Paul Tonko may love trying to tax and spend their own constituents to death, but that doesn’t mean they should come to the North Country and peddle the same, tired failing Democrat agenda,” said Plattsburgh state Sen. Dan Stec (R-Warren) in a statement to The Post.
Republicans quickly dismissed Ocasio-Cortez’s visit, with a representative from the New York Republican Committee stating, “As usual, AOC is beyond parody. Unlike AOC, a suburbanite cosplaying as a girl from The Bronx, Elise Stefanik is actually from her district.” They emphasized that “the North Country is Elise Country, and it’s Trump Country – and it’ll stay that way.”
Dressed in a white button-down shirt and black cuffed pants, Ocasio-Cortez expressed her affinity for the Adirondacks and even claimed to be an avid backpacker. “The Republican Party will never recover from this,” remarked Erie County GOP Chair Michael Kracker on social media platform X.
In response to Ocasio-Cortez’s assertion that she is unwelcome, a representative for Stefanik stated, “Thank you for the political gift of a radical Far Left Socialist’s visit to the North Country. It’s like pouring jet fuel on Elise Stefanik’s strong support in Upstate New York.”
The town hall was co-hosted by Tonko, who praised Ocasio-Cortez as a standard-bearer for the Democratic party. “They say, ‘Well, she’s the future of the party.’ I say, ‘She’s the today of the party,’” Tonko noted during the event.
The escalating tensions between the parties during this politically charged visit underscore the deep divisions within New York politics. As both sides prepare for upcoming elections, the impact of Ocasio-Cortez’s appearance may resonate significantly across the political landscape.
Stay tuned for further updates as this story develops.
