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Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez Endorses Cristina Tzintzún Ramirez In Democratic Primary

Marjorie Kamys Cotera
/
The Texas Tribune
Cristina Tzintzún Ramirez at a Texas Tribune event on Nov. 21, 2019."

U.S. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., is endorsing Cristina Tzintzún Ramirez in the huge primary to take on U.S. Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, less than two weeks before Election Day.

Tzintzún Ramirez, a progressive organizer, is one of more than a dozen federal candidates nationwide that Ocasio-Cortez plans to back Friday through her Courage to Change PAC, according to The New York Times.

"It’s important for us to create mechanisms of support because so much of what is happening in Washington is driven by fear of loss," Ocasio-Cortez told the newspaper. "We can really create an ecosystem that makes people more comfortable into making the leap to make politically courageous choices.”

Tzintzún Ramirez welcomed the endorsement in a statement, promising to "fight for the bold, progressive change that Texans deserve."

She is among 12 candidates competing in the March 3 primary to take on Cornyn, a primary that is almost certain to go to a runoff. Her primary rivals include MJ Hegar, who has the backing of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee.

While Hegar, a former Air Force helicopter pilot, is the top fundraiser in the primary and has accrued the most national support, Tzintzún Ramirez has built momentum as the progressive alternative to Hegar. Earlier this week, Tzintzún Ramirez won the support of U.S. Rep. Joaquin Castro of San Antonio.

Even before Friday, Cornyn's campaign had been deriding Tzintzún Ramirez as "AOCRistina."

"AOC’s endorsement of AOCristina proves that radical Liberals are coming for Texas with all they’ve got," Cornyn campaign manager John Jackson said in a statement. "Cristina Tzintzún Ramirez’s policies are out of step with Texas voters and we look forward to educating Texans on her disastrous Green New Deal, Medicare-for-None, and gun seizure program this Fall."

The Texas Tribune is a member-supported, nonpartisan newsroom informing and engaging Texans on state politics and policy. Learn more at texastribune.org.