U.S. Representative for New York's 14th congressional district since 2019, covering parts of the Bronx and Queens. Youngest woman ever elected to Congress at age 29. Her father was a second-generation Bronxite of Puerto Rican descent and her mother was born and raised in Puerto Rico.
Serving
About
Family & Heritage
Born in the Parkchester neighborhood of the Bronx to Sergio Ocasio-Roman, a second-generation Bronxite of Puerto Rican descent who ran a small architecture firm, and Blanca Ocasio-Cortez, who was born and raised in Puerto Rico and worked as a house cleaner and school bus driver. The family moved to Yorktown Heights so Alexandria and her brother Gabriel could attend better schools. Her father died of lung cancer in 2008 during her sophomore year of college, leaving the family in financial hardship and facing home foreclosure.
Political Career
Before Politics
After graduating from Boston University, returned to the Bronx and worked as a bartender and waitress to help her mother fight home foreclosure. Served as Educational Director for the National Hispanic Institute. Founded Brook Avenue Press, a publishing firm highlighting positive stories about the Bronx. Volunteered as an organizer for Bernie Sanders' 2016 presidential campaign in the South Bronx. Traveled to Standing Rock, North Dakota to join indigenous pipeline protests.
Education
B.A. in International Relations and Economics, Boston University (cum laude, 2011); Yorktown High School (2007); Intel International Science and Engineering Fair second place in microbiology (2007)
Key Issues & Priorities
Green New Deal and climate justice
Medicare for All and universal healthcare
Affordable housing and public housing investment
Workers' rights and living wage
Immigration reform and abolishing ICE