Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) sidestepped an endorsement in Wisconsin's Democratic gubernatorial primary on Sunday, declining to back state Rep. Francesca Hong, a democratic socialist candidate, and instead emphasizing her priority on reclaiming congressional majorities.
“I haven't endorsed in that race. My focus has been in winning back the Congress, winning back the House, and positioning ourselves to have the best chance possible to win the Senate,” Ocasio-Cortez said on ABC's “This Week.”
The decision aligns with Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and the national Democratic Socialists of America, both of whom have also withheld support from Hong. This pattern mirrors recent moves by progressive leaders to be more selective in primaries, as seen in Sanders's own non-endorsement and in other races where high-profile figures have chosen to stay out.
Hong's campaign has faced scrutiny over past statements, including support for abolishing prisons, defunding the police, and canceling Thanksgiving. She has since said her views have evolved. Ocasio-Cortez acknowledged this evolution, noting that these races tend to be nationalized but are ultimately local. “My understanding is that Francesca Hong has made clear her presence in her election,” she said, adding, “She's moved away from it.”
Host Jonathan Karl pressed Ocasio-Cortez on her own previous amplification of defunding the police. She reflected on the unique circumstances of the COVID-19 pandemic, which she said opened an “overton window” for radical policy discussions. “There was a huge opening of the overtone window. We were shut down. There was some of the highest unemployment rates that we have seen because of those shutdowns, and I think that the doors were really open in trying to entertain any and every policy that was going to get us to a better place,” she said. She called those discussions “fruitful” but stressed that current crime conversations are “fundamentally different.”
“I think that when we talk about crime today, it's fundamentally different than the way that we talked about crime in bringing crime down, right? And I think that we all share the goals of having as low a crime rate as possible,” she continued. She added that the rhetoric used during lockdown “is not rhetoric that we would use today.”
Ocasio-Cortez's comments come as she remains a prominent figure in Democratic politics, with recent polls showing her leading the 2028 field in New Hampshire. Her focus on congressional gains is part of a broader strategy, though some progressives have urged her to wade into more primaries. The move also highlights a delicate balance as the party navigates its left flank ahead of the midterms.
In Wisconsin, Hong's campaign has sought to frame her as a progressive champion, but the lack of backing from national figures like Ocasio-Cortez and Sanders could dampen momentum. Meanwhile, Ocasio-Cortez's remarks on defunding the police signal a recalibration for a party that has faced Republican attacks on the issue. Her stance now emphasizes a pragmatic approach to crime reduction, a shift that may resonate with voters in competitive districts.
