Constituents in Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s district weighed in on a potential presidential bid. Ocasio-Cortez, left. On the right side: Mark LaVergne, top left, Szewczuk, top right, Aleks Itskovich, bottom left, and Andrew Sokolof Diaz, bottom right. (David Dee Delgado/Getty Images, left, Michael DorganFox News Digital, right. )
Some political observers say Crowley took Ocasio-Cortez for granted, while her constituents believe attaining the nation’s highest office is not beyond her grasp. Fast-forward to 2025 and Ocasio-Cortez has become one of the biggest voices in a party yearning for political leadership.
The huge turnouts for her "Fight Oligarchy" tour events alongside Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., has fueled speculation she has enough momentum to launch a presidential bid, while she has also raked in $9.6 million in the first three months of the year, beating her own record fundraising haul.
Mark LaVergne, who’s an independent and was outside Ocasio-Cortez’s town hall but did not attend, told Fox News Digital that he believes she has a winning personality.
"Don't underestimate her. I mean, that was the mistake Joe Crowley and his people made seven years ago," LaVergne said. "They underestimated her. That was a fatal mistake."
Andrew Sokolof Diaz said Ocasio-Cortez’s popularity appears to be growing and said it would be an honor to vote for her.
"Absolutely, we stand with her. I think she absolutely has the support, not only here in her district, but she has the support nationally, maybe even internationally, to run for president." Sokolof Diaz said.
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez's town hall in Queens on May 2, 2025, was packed with 450 people, more were in an overflow room across the hall. (Michael Dorgan/Fox News Digital)
The loudest applause came when Ocasio-Cortez voiced her opposition to a proposed new casino in Queens, which would be part of new sports and entertainment park. The $8 billion project is being spearheaded by New York Mets’ billionaire owner Steve Cohen and has gotten approval from the New York City Council. The congresswoman admitted, however, she doesn’t have a say in the matter since it’s a state issue and not in her district.
Applause also rang out when Ocasio-Cortez dared border czar Tom Homan to arrest her after he previously threatened to refer her to the Justice Department for giving advice to migrants on how to avoid being deported.
The town hall went off without a hitch except for an early disruption by a protester who heckled at Ocasio-Cortez about the war in Israel. She was then removed.
The town hall took place in a leafy section of Jackson Heights, known for its strong progressive leanings. A major avenue adjacent to the school was recently transformed into an "open street," where traffic was substantially reduced to create more public space for pedestrians, cyclists and community use.
"I love it, it's a great neighborhood, it is very diverse, probably one of the most diverse in the world," Szewczuk said.
Sex workers and police on Roosevelt Avenue in 2024. (Michael Dorgan/Fox News Digital, left, Hiram Monserrate, right; Ian Forsyth/Getty Images, inset.)
Sokolof Diaz and Szewczuk said it’s on local politicians to do more, while LaVergne said that Ocasio-Cortez has failed the neighborhood in that respect. LaVergne said he was also still angry that she helped stop Amazon opening a massive headquarters in Queens a few years ago.
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"I feel very sad. Sometimes you walk by, there's a Dunkin' Donuts I frequent on Roosevelt and 82nd St., and I noticed that above that, there is some sort of thing going on. And I see the look in the eyes of these sex workers," LaVergne said.
"I really feel sorry for them. Some of them are here probably under difficult situations. Maybe they were forced here, maybe they're forced to do this kind of work. You've got to take care of the people that'll get you elected. I mean, that just seems like the most just thing. That's justice. Taking care of the people who got you elected."
Michael Dorgan is a writer for Fox News Digital and Fox Business.
You can send tips to michael.dorgan@fox.com and follow him on Twitter @M_Dorgan.
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/aocs-constituents-weigh-presidential-run-recall-her-stunning-2018-political-upset