NEW YORK (CBSNewYork/AP) — In a shocking upset, U.S. Rep. Joseph Crowley has been defeated by a 28-year-old Bernie Sanders supporter in the Democratic congressional primary in New York.
Crowley had been considered a candidate to become the next House speaker if Democrats win the majority.
He was defeated Tuesday by Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, who has never held elected office.
Ocasio-Cortez ran a low-budget campaign and was outspent by an 18-1 margin. She won the endorsement of some influential groups on the party’s left, including MoveOn.
Crowley has been in Congress since 1999. He represents New York’s 14th Congressional District, which includes parts of the Bronx and Queens.
Ocasio-Cortez has been a community organizer in the Bronx and worked on Sanders’ presidential campaign.
“I think that it means that we need to be expanding what we’re listening to in terms of advocacy for working class Americans, people of color, and more,” Ocasio-Cortez told CBS2 after declaring victory.
The incumbent said he wishes “the best” for the progressive Ocasio-Cortez. Crowley, who has been in Congress since 1999, thanked supporters and expressed his love for the people of the 14th Congressional District, which includes parts of the Bronx and Queens.
Crowley says, “I want nothing but the best for Ms. Ocasio-Cortez. I want her to be victorious.”
President Donald Trump took to Twitter to gloat over Crowley’s stunning defeat.
“That is a big one that nobody saw happening,” Trump tweeted. “Perhaps he should have been nicer, and more respectful, to his President!”
Ocasio-Cortez will face Republican candidate Anthony Pappas, who is running unopposed.
Also in New York City, U.S. Rep. Dan Donovan survived a fierce challenge in New York’s Republican primary on Tuesday from Michael Grimm, a former congressman who resigned to go to prison for tax fraud but had appeared on the verge of mounting a political comeback.
(© Copyright 2018 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
