US Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez is making waves in New York’s 17th District despite not running in the area. The House Republican Leadership PAC is running TV ads linking Democrat Mondaire Jones to Ocasio-Cortez in an effort to support GOP Rep. Mike Lawler in a tight race for the swing district covering Rockland, Putnam, and parts of northern Westchester and Dutchess counties.
The ads are highlighting Ocasio-Cortez’s more liberal views, which are seen as out of touch with the district’s sizable Jewish population, many of whom are pro-Israel. The ads claim that Jones and Ocasio-Cortez share a radical agenda, aiming to sway voters away from Jones.
On the other side, the Democratic Congressional Campaign is attempting to tie Lawler to former President Donald Trump, using Trump’s praise of Lawler to highlight his votes against abortion rights.
Jones, on the other hand, is focusing on Lawler’s opposition to lowering prescription drug costs for seniors and protections for those with pre-existing conditions in his health care ads. Lawler has disputed these claims, setting the stage for a contentious race.
Ocasio-Cortez’s influence in the district, despite not being a candidate, underscores the divisiveness of her progressive views, with both parties attempting to use her image to their advantage in the upcoming election.
Source
Photo credit nypost.com