Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez is lending her political clout to an all-woman slate of progressive candidates.
The influential House member’s new political action committee, “Courage to Change,” issued its first endorsements Friday to seven Congressional challengers she believes represent the insurgent left.
And one House hopeful in the Bronx felt the impact immediately.
“We had probably the best day of fundraising that we’ve ever had since we launched the campaign," Samelys López said. "More awareness, retweets, people reaching out to volunteer. And one of the most important things, people reinforcing what we’re doing.”
López is one of more than ten candidates vying for the seat to be vacated by Congressman Jose Serrano. She is also endorsed by New York City Democratic Socialists of America.
“Hi, how are you, sir? My name is Samelys. I’m a Democrat running for Congress," said López.
The PAC bills itself as “AOC’s progressive alternative” to the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, the party’s official House fundraising arm.
Ocasio-Cortez is herself a fundraising powerhouse. Her reelection campaign raised $5.4 million in 2019.
Her campaign spokesman told NY1 that the PAC on Friday raised more than $61,000 for the freshly endorsed candidates and $340,000 since its mid-January launch.
“It definitely sets us apart from everybody who’s running in the race in terms of carving that true progressive, authentic, grassroots lane that our campaign embodies,” said López said of the PAC’s endorsement.
“We’re only getting started,” the “Courage to Change” PAC said in an email soliciting donations.