Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez was set to deliver a full speech in primetime Monday night at the Democratic National Convention, a nod to the progressive wing of the party that she represents.
The firebrand progressive was expected to address a packed house in Chicago on the undercard of speakers before President Biden passes the torch to presumptive presidential nominee Kamala Harris.
The showcase suggests Ocasio-Cortez has grown as a political force within the Democratic Party and a key messenger to young voters.
Four years ago, she was relegated to a 90-second cameo introducing fellow progressive Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vermont).
The third-term Bronx/Queens lawmaker is considered one of the party’s biggest stars on social media. She carries major sway with young voters, a key demographic in what is expected to be a very close race between Harris and former President Trump.
She has also moved closer to the center of power in the party, and has won plaudits for being more supportive of its leaders.
Ocasio-Cortez, 34, strongly backed Biden throughout his term despite strong disagreements on many issues. Once Biden stepped down from the race last month, Ocasio-Cortez quickly pivoted –like most of the rest of the party — to endorse Harris.
Ocasio-Cortez is one of the strongest supporters of Palestinian rights. But it wasn’t known how much she might focus on Israel’s war in Gaza, which sparked sprawling protests on the streets of Chicago.
Recently, the leader of the so-called Squad of progressives easily turned away a challenge in her Democratic primary. That win was in sharp contrast to fellow progressive Rep. Jamaal Bowman, who fell to challenger George Latimer after pro-Israel donors spend millions to topple him.
The theme of the night’s proceedings is “For the People.”
Ocasio-Cortez will speak at 9 p.m. after Gov. Hochul and before former Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton on the program in the United Center.
Women’s rights will be a major focus of the night with several women speaking about their battles with Republican abortion bans in their states. Democrats want to use female speakers from across the party’s political spectrum to stress reproductive rights because it’s one of the issues that energizes their base of voters.
