Since her election, Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez has cultivated an image of a national figure, often at the expense of her local responsibilities. This self-styled role as a prominent voice in the liberal media landscape has come with a cost: her constituents in the Bronx and Queens are starting to notice her absence, and their patience appears to be waning.
As Ocasio-Cortez embarks on her ‘Fight Oligarchy’ tour alongside Bernie Sanders, her district is left to fend for itself, raising the question: what has she actually done for those who voted her into office?
The New York Post reports:
Frustration boils over among AOC’s constituents in Bronx and Queens, who brand her an absentee ‘rock star’: ‘This woman has done nothing’
Discontent has reached a tipping point among the residents of Ocasio-Cortez’s district, with many expressing their dissatisfaction to The Post. They feel relegated to the background while their representative pursues her own ambitions.
With an annual budget of $1.9 million for her district offices, the services provided are underwhelming: one office opens just one day a week and the other shuts down on Fridays. Constituents have reported unanswered phone calls and appointments that are the only way to discuss pressing issues.
Once a regular feature of her community engagement, Ocasio-Cortez’s town halls have dwindled to rare occurrences where participation is limited, and sometimes she opts to join via phone rather than in person, leaving her constituents feeling neglected.
“This woman has done nothing for the community she was elected to serve,” said Lauro Vazquez of Woodside, Queens, echoing a frustrated sentiment from across AOC’s bi-borough district. The pressing concerns of her constituents—jobs, public safety, traffic—seem to be far from her priorities as she aims for a broader national spotlight.
Ocasio-Cortez’s strategy mirrors that of fellow progressive Elizabeth Warren, who similarly shifted focus from local responsibilities to national prominence. The question remains: if constituents desire effective representation, is it time to seek a replacement who prioritizes their needs over personal aspirations?
