...
By Andrew Stanton
Reporter
0
Share
Newsweek is a Trust Project member
See more of our trusted coverage when you search.Prefer Newsweek on Googleto see more of our trusted coverage when you search.
As Senator Chuck Schumer faces criticism for supporting a GOP-backed funding bill, many Democrats are calling Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez to launch a primary challenge against him.
Newsweek reached out to Ocasio-Cortez and Schumer's teams via email for comment.
Why It Matters
Schumer, a New York Democrat, said he plans to vote in support of the bill to avert a government shutdown, sparking the ire of both moderate and progressive Democrats. On the floor of the Senate, he said he would vote for the bill, despite taking issues with it, because avoiding the shutdown would "minimize the harms to the American people."
Read More on Politics
The primary calls come as Democrats across the country express frustration with elected Democrats over what they view as a paltry opposition to President Donald Trump's policies.
What To Know
The funding bill, known as a continuing resolution (CR), passed the House of Representatives earlier this week and appeared poised to pass the Senate. Republicans control the Senate by a 53-47 margin, but the vote must overcome the 60-vote filibuster to pass.
With Republican Senator Rand Paul of Kentucky already saying he's a "no," eight Democrats must vote for the CR to pass.
...
Schumer, who leads the Senate Democrats, said he plans to vote to avert the shutdown, sparking outrage from Democratic voters, many of whom are calling for him to face a primary challenge for his next reelection.
Some suggest Ocasio-Cortez, a favorite of progressives who represents parts of Queens and the Bronx in Congress, as a candidate who could challenge him in three years.
Mona Kleinberg, an assistant professor at Queens College, City University of New York, told Newsweek that the CR probably won't be on voters' minds by 2028, when Schmer is next up for reelection.
"Voters have short term memory when it comes to voting. They care about the state of the economy and their pocket books," she said. "Moreover, senators were purposefully insulated from public opinion by the framers of the Constitution—hence the six-year terms. AOC, on the other hand, is constantly running for reelection as all House representatives are."
However, the more important question is whether this signals a larger rift among Democrats, she said.
Kleinberg said that if she chooses to run, Ocasio-Cortez would have a "good shot among a large portion of the electorate" as she is a progressive populist and perceived as authentic.
She said the representative "received split-ticket votes where people voted both for her and Trump in the most recent election—showing that she is in the sweet spot of the ideological Venn diagram where people vote for the populist, regardless of whether they are left or right."
Ocasio-Cortez has been critical of Schumer's leadership on the bill but hasn't said she is considering a primary challenge. Some have also floated her as a potential presidential candidate.
"This is about deep cuts to Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid...the evisceration of the federal government...codifying the looting that is happening at the behest of Elon Musk in order to pay for his tax breaks for billionaires," Ocasio-Cortez told reporters, adding, "I think there is a deep sense of outrage and betrayal."
Others have suggested that two other New York representatives, Pat Ryan and Dan Goldman, could challenge Schumer.
What People Are Saying
MSNBC contributor Rotimi Adeoye on X, formerly Twitter: "I don't want a 'left v moderate' ideological primary for Schumer. I want Pat Ryan, AOC, Daniel Goldman, and anyone else with fresh energy to primary Schumer. We need a new generation of leaders, not someone who has imaginary friends and uses them to understand swing voters."
Former Democratic congressional candidate Pam Keith, on X: "Let it be known this Friday March 14, 2025 that if @AOC primaries @SenSchumer, she will have my unqualified and total support, starting with a significant donation. And let it also be known that I will NEVER donate another dime to any Senator who votes yes for cloture."
Activist Abigail Disney on X: "This bill is a straight up capitulation to Trump and Musk. It cedes congressional power and codifies the already horrid damage DOGE has done. @AOC time to primary you know who????"
What Happens Next
Divisions among Democrats may continue for the foreseeable future as they debate how best to deal with another four years of the Trump administration.
View 0 Comments
Submit Correction
View Editorial & AI Guidelines