Democrat Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez defeated a little-known Republican opponent in a district representing a portion of New York City on Nov. 6.
The Associated Press called the race for the 29-year-old, who became the youngest woman elected to Congress.
She won over economics professor Anthony Pappas after Ocasio-Cortez, who is a member of the Democratic Socialists of America, defeated longtime Rep. Joe Crowley in the Democratic primary in June, triggering a torrent of fawning press pieces.
Democratic congressional candidate Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez speaks with reporters after her general campaign kick-off rally in the Bronx borough of New York on Sept. 22, 2018. Don Emmert/AFP/Getty Images
She wants to push the Democratic party even further to the left.
Before running for office, she was an organizer for Sen. Bernie Sanders’ presidential campaign.
“I am so thankful for every single person who contributed, amplified, and worked to establish this movement,” she wrote on Twitter. “Never forget the hard work it took to get us here. No matter what happens, this is what it takes.”
