Grace Meng backs AOC for re-election, adding nuance to Queens political punditry
/
Rep. Grace Meng (left) endorsed Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez for re-election. Photos via Grace Meng/Facebook; Eagle file photo by Phineas Rueckert
By David Brand
U.S. Rep. Grace Meng officially endorsed her Queens colleague Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez for re-election Sunday, providing support that contrasts recent reporting on Ocasio-Cortez’s estrangement from the New York City congressional delegation.
Meng made the endorsement during an appearance on City Watch on WBAI 99.5 FM, where she addressed federal COVID-19 relief, as well as Ocasio-Cortez’s standing with her peers after voting against the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security, or CARES, Act.
“I support my colleague and friend for re-election,” Meng said when asked if she would endorse Ocasio-Cortez (Note: This reporter/editor — me, David Brand – is the co-host of City Watch).
She and Ocasio-Cortez, who represent neighboring districts devastated by COVID-19, have worked closely together during the pandemic, she added.
“One of the first town halls we held in relation to the coronavirus in Queens — she and I set that town hall up with all our relevant hospitals. And that was way in the beginning,” Meng said. “She’s been on most if not all of the calls we’ve had. We’ve had a lot of New York delegation calls.”
Meng previously defended Ocasio-Cortez in a May 14 tweet disputing a New York Post story that quoted an unnamed staffer for another lawmaker who said Ocasio-Cortez “hasn’t made many friends in the delegation.”
The bond between Ocasio-Cortez and Meng — at least on the surface and social media — adds more nuance to the notion that Queens politics is a strict battle between Democratic Socialists of America and “establishment” Democrats, who are often aligned with the Queens County Democratic organization.
Meng won her Congressional seat in 2012 after receiving the support of the country organization and its then-boss, Rep. Joe Crowley. Six years later, Ocasio-Cortez won her seat in after famously defeating Crowley.
This time around, Meng faces her first primary challenge since taking office. She takes on DSA organizer and nonprofit worker Mel Gagarin and economic development professional Sandra Choi, who has criticized Meng’s ties to the county party.
Ocasio-Cortez is running her first primary campaign as an incumbent. She is challenged by former CNN reporter Michelle Caruso-Cabrera and Queens Community Board 2 member Badrun Khan.
The primary election is June 23.
