Rep. Sean Patrick Maloney (D-NY), head of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, criticized Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) after she blamed the party’s leadership in New York for underperforming in the midterm elections.
Maloney was asked about the remark during an interview with The New York Times.
“The last time I ran into A.O.C., we were beating her endorsed candidate two to one in a primary, and I didn’t see her one minute of these midterms helping our House majority,” Maloney said.
He added, “So, I’m not sure what kind of advice she has, but I’m sure she’ll be generous with it.”
Maloney argued Ocasio-Cortez “had almost nothing to do with what turned out to be an historic defense of our majority. Didn’t pay a dollar of dues. Didn’t do anything for our frontline candidates except give them money when they didn’t want it from her.”
According to the head of the committee, “There are other voices who should be heard, especially when suburban voters have clearly rejected the ideas that she’s most associated with, from defunding the police on down.”
He continued, “She’s an important voice in our politics. But when it comes to passing our agenda through the Congress, or standing our ground on the political battlefield, she was nowhere to be found.”
Ocasio-Cortez took to Twitter to respond to Maloney’s comments.
“Let’s make something crystal clear: – SPM courted me for donations to swing races and it was the 1st thing I did this term. Over a quarter million for Dems this cycle, DCCC facilitated some and now he denies it. – If he isn’t aware of my visit to CA and efforts we put in, that’s on him,” she tweeted.
Let’s make something crystal clear:
— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) November 11, 2022
– SPM courted me for donations to swing races & it was the 1st thing I did this term. Over a quarter million for Dems this cycle, DCCC facilitated some & now he denies it.
– If he isn’t aware of my visit to CA & efforts we put in, that’s on him https://t.co/eACfScbB3T
Addressing Maloney’s claim that he did not see her, Ocasio-Cortez tweeted, “Perhaps it’s because he as a party leader chose not to see nor value prominent members of his party for years.”
She added, “Either way, we will continue to organize and turn out undervalued + unseen communities in this country – whether the powerful like it or not.”
As for him “not seeing me” – perhaps it’s because he as a party leader chose not to see nor value prominent members of his party for years.
— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) November 11, 2022
Either way, we will continue to organize & turn out undervalued + unseen communities in this country – whether the powerful like it or not.
Additionally, she claimed “many moderate dems + leaders made it very clear that our help was not welcome nor wanted. Despite our many, many offers. Yet found ways to try to help from afar. So for them to blame us for respecting their approach in their districts is laughable.”
Yet we*
— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) November 11, 2022
It appeared Democrats avoided the predicted Republican “red wave.”
CBS News projects Georgia, Arizona and Nevada will determine which party takes control of the Senate.
The outlet noted Republicans are “within striking distance” of taking over the House.
