Democratic New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez attacked her soon-to-be ex-colleague over Twitter late Thursday for blaming her for his loss.
Democratic New York Rep. Sean Patrick Maloney lost his reelection bid to Republican candidate Mike Lawler in Tuesday’s race. Maloney is the chair of the Democratic Congressional Committee, making the loss a major blow to the House Democratic Caucus.
Following his loss, Maloney said that the progressive representative did not contribute to assisting Democrats in keeping their majority.
“The last time I ran into A.O.C., we were beating her endorsed candidate two to one in a primary, and I didn’t see her one minute of these midterms helping our House majority,” he said in a statement, according to the New York Times.
Ocasio-Cortez fired back in a lengthy statement, accusing Maloney of abandoning key districts and constituents.
“Let’s make something crystal clear: SPM [Maloney] courted me for donations to swing races & it was the 1st thing I did this term. Over a quarter million for Dems this cycle, DCCC facilitated some & now he denies it. If he isn’t aware of my visit to CA & efforts we put in, that’s on him,” she said. “Because of Dem party abandonment in key areas, statewide victories depended HEAVILY on driving up numbers in progressive areas like mine & @nywfp.”
“To our knowledge, I was the only NYC House Dem in a safe seat to run a full-throated heavy field operation for GOTV,” she continued.
– Because of Dem party abandonment in key areas, statewide victories depended HEAVILY on driving up numbers in progressive areas like mine & @nywfp
– To our knowledge, I was the only NYC House Dem in a safe seat to run a full-throated heavy field operation for GOTV
— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) November 11, 2022
What I love about his claim that we gave frontline members “donations they didn’t want”:
a) the VAST majority were good w/ early financial support to position themselves early
b) for the few who didn’t want our help + got it, where do you think we got the $ info to give? DCCC!
— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) November 11, 2022
She then said that Maloney and moderate Democrats ignored “prominent members” of the party by turning their backs on progressives. (RELATED: DCCC Chair On The Verge Of Losing Election Gets Massive Cash Infusion At The 11th Hour)
“As for him ‘not seeing me’… perhaps it’s because he as a party leader chose not to see nor value prominent members of his party for years. Either way, we will continue to organize & turn out undervalued + unseen communities in this country – whether the powerful like it or not,” she said.
“Lastly, many moderate dems + leaders made it very clear that our help was not welcome nor wanted. Despite our many, many offers. Yet found ways to try to help from afar. So for them to blame us for respecting their approach in their districts is laughable. Take some ownership,” she continued.
Lastly, many moderate dems + leaders made it very clear that our help was not welcome nor wanted. Despite our many, many offers. Yet found ways to try to help from afar. So for them to blame us for respecting their approach in their districts is laughable.
Take some ownership.
— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) November 11, 2022
Before the primary, Ocasio-Cortez endorsed Maloney’s progressive candidate, Democratic New York State Sen. Alessandra Biaggi in June, who lost to her incumbent challenger, The Hill reported. Maloney received criticism from fellow Democrats when he announced his run in the 17th district after the state’s redistricting process.