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Queens Democrat Launches Primary Challenge Against AOC
By
Zach Schonfeld
Published Sep 19, 2019
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https://badrunforcongress.com/
By
Zach Schonfeld
Published Sep 19, 2019
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A Queens community activist has just announced a primary campaign for Congress. You may have heard of her opponent: Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, the current incumbent.
Plenty of Republicans have filed to run for Ocasio-Cortez’s seat representing New York's 14th congressional district. Republicans do not care for AOC, unless you consider Fox News mentioning her 3,181 times in six weeks to be a form of affection.)" But as the New York Post points out, Badrun Khan is evidently the first Democrat to do so, setting the stage for a potential primary battle between Ocasio-Cortez, who has become the most high-profile and celebrated freshman legislator in recent memory, and the more moderate wing of the party.
Khan, a self-described “proud Democrat” and daughter of an immigrant family, officially filed to run with the FEC several months ago, but only formally announced her campaign on Wednesday. Her campaign website notes that she was born in New York to Bengali-born parents. She remains “heavily involved in her Bengali Community throughout the city,” according to the site, and until recently worked as the director of finance for a large high school.
Khan’s campaign site is light on specific policy but does list four issues she plans to focus on: “Health Care,” “Fighting the Drug Epidemic,” “Government Reform,” and “Veterans.” The health care section vows to “fight to make sure health care is made available for all,” but it does not take a stand in favor of Medicare for all—one of Ocasio-Cortez’s signature issues. Nor is there any discernible mention of climate change or a Green New Deal on the site.
Challenging Ocasio-Cortez will be a lofty goal, as congressman-turned-lobbyist Joseph Crowley could probably tell you. The congresswoman, who turns 30 next month, has amassed an enormous national following, a much-discussed social media presence, and substantial support for her bold progressive policy proposals. As she eyes a 2020 reelection campaign, she has already raised $1.2 million from donors, some chipping in from well outside of her home city. (That’s more than some presidential campaigns earned during the same period—including, yes, Bill de Blasio’s.)
In a comment to The Hill, Ocasio-Cortez seemed unruffled by her new Democratic challenger. “I just focus on delivering for my district and doing the best job. I try not to focus too much on other folks in the field,” she said.
We’ve reached out to Khan for additional comment on why she’s mounting this challenge and will update if we hear back.
Thus far, seven Republicans have filed to run for Ocasio-Cortez’s seat, according to Politico. That list includes Scherie Murray, a businesswoman and Jamaican immigrant; John Cummings, a retired cop; Ruth Papazian, a medical writer; and Miguel Hernandez, a construction contractor who has been reported to live in Manhattan—far outside of Ocasio-Cortez’s district. The field of contenders could grow larger as the election gets closer.
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