Progressive Challengers in New York Primary Elections Focus on Immigration Controversies
Progressive challengers in New York focus on immigration controversies ahead of primary elections
As primary elections heat up in New York, two progressive challengers to Democratic incumbents are honing in on recent immigration controversies to make their case to voters. One of these candidates, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, is challenging Rep. Joe Crowley in New York’s 14th Congressional District.
Ocasio-Cortez made headlines when she left her home district to travel to West Texas to protest the separation of immigrant families. The 28-year-old candidate has been gaining attention in her bid to unseat Crowley, who has represented the district for 14 years and is considered a powerful Democrat in the House of Representatives.
In a bold move just two days before the June 26 primary, Ocasio-Cortez announced on Twitter that she would participate in a protest at an ICE detention center in Tornillo, Texas. The protest is part of the #StopSeparation march organized by advocacy group Voto Latino to pressure elected officials to end the Trump administration’s zero-tolerance immigration policy.
Ocasio-Cortez’s trip to Texas comes amidst a heated race in the 14th district, where candidates have been trading blows over various issues including fundraising and debates. The challenger criticized Crowley for attending a fundraiser hosted by a bipartisan lobbying and PR firm, while she remains focused on her campaign and activism.
The primary election in New York has also seen other progressive challengers like Suraj Patel, who is challenging Rep. Carolyn Maloney in the 12th district, criticizing the incumbent’s past votes on immigration issues. The debate over immigration has become a central focus in these races, with candidates taking strong stances on the separation of families at the border and the future of ICE.
As the primary elections draw near, the progressive challengers in New York are making their voices heard on immigration issues, setting the stage for a potentially transformative election season in the state.
