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Progressive Wave in Democratic Primaries Highlights AOC’s Endorsement Hesitancy

Recent victories by democratic socialists in deep-blue districts raise questions about Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s evolving role in supporting emerging progressives.

Jul 8, 2026, 12:20 PM The Hill

AOCorganization Alexandria Ocasio-Corteztopic Abdul El-Sayedtopic House Democratperson Melat Kirosperson Ro Khannaperson Todaytopic Democratictopic Democratic Primaries Highlights AOCtopic Endorsement Hesitancyperson Progressive Waveperson Congresstopic

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Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) has recently faced scrutiny for her cautious approach to endorsing progressive candidates in competitive Democratic primaries. Last week, 29-year-old activist Melat Kiros defeated a 15-term House Democrat in a Denver district, marking the fourth time in eight days that a democratic socialist won a Democratic primary for Congress in a deep-blue district. Kiros’s victory followed an endorsement from Bernie Sanders.

Ocasio-Cortez only recently endorsed progressive Abdul El-Sayed in Michigan’s fiercely contested Democratic primary for an open U.S. House seat, despite Ro Khanna (D-Calif.) having endorsed El-Sayed over a year ago and actively campaigning for him.

This year, Ocasio-Cortez has attracted serious media attention as a potential 2028 presidential candidate. However, her reluctance to endorse progressives challenging incumbent Democrats has raised concerns among activists about whether her ambitions for higher office are overshadowing her commitment to helping new progressive candidates ascend the political ladder as she did in 2018.

Observers note that Ocasio-Cortez has often remained on the sidelines during historic election campaigns in New York and Colorado, sometimes withholding support from progressive candidates who later succeeded with grassroots efforts.

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The Hill: Today’s cautious AOC would not have endorsed the AOC of 2018

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Today’s cautious AOC would not have endorsed the AOC of 2018

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The Hill Captured Jul 8, 2026, 12:10 PM · Original story

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