Schumer says he’s focused on job when asked about possible Ocasio-Cortez primary challenge

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) said on Sunday when asked about a potential primary challenge from Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) that he’s focused on his job. 

“Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez this week did not rule out a possible 2022 primary run against you,” CNN’s Jake Tapper asked Schumer on “State of the Union,” referencing the representative’s interview with Politico Playbook last week. “Are you confident you could beat her?”

“Look, throughout my career, I have done my job. I’m totally focused on this COVID. We are the epicenter,” Schumer responded, referring to his home state. 

“And I have found, throughout my career, you do your job well, everything else works out OK,” he added. 

Asked by Politico if she would run a primary campaign against Schumer in 2022, Ocasio-Cortez maintained that she is focused on her House reelection campaign. 

“I’m very much focused on my election in 2020, and honestly this news cycle is so insane, who knows where any of us are going to be in 2022?” she said. 

Pressed on whether she would rule out a run against Schumer, Ocasio-Cortez replied: “I literally don’t even think about this in any serious way so, like, I don’t know.”

Ocasio-Cortez is one of the most progressive Democratic lawmakers. She became the youngest woman elected to Congress in 2018, after defeating Democratic incumbent Rep. Joe Crowley in a primary race.