Ocasio-Cortez endorses progressive Democrat in Georgia congressional primary

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) endorsed a progressive first-time candidate seeking an open House seat in Georgia.

Ocasio-Cortez endorsed Nabilah Islam in the Democratic primary on Tuesday, praising the candidate for petitioning the Federal Election Commission to let her use campaign funds to purchase health insurance. 

“When I first heard Nabilah’s story it resonated with me deeply,” Ocasio-Cortez said in the endorsement. “Nabilah’s working-class background provides her with unique insight into what Americans go through on a regular basis.”

Ocasio-Cortez said her Courage to Change PAC will also support Islam in her campaign for Georgia’s 7th Congressional District seat. 

“Her commitment to lifting working people and communities of color is what inspired our Courage to Change PAC to support her,” Ocasio-Cortez said. “Nabilah is not afraid to fight against the status quo. We need more voices like Nabilah’s in Congress.” 

Islam said she is “beyond humbled” to receive the endorsement from the PAC and the congresswomen. She said Ocasio-Cortez, who unseated a longtime Democratic incumbent when she won in 2018, was a “huge influence” on her decision to run. 

“She showed me it was possible to run for office and be unabashedly myself,” Islam said. 

Islam said the COVID-19 pandemic has shown that the country needs “leaders who are prepared to fight for marginalized communities.” 

“We cannot afford a Congress that only fights for half measures during a full crisis. I look forward to repairing our country with Congresswoman Ocasio-Cortez,” Islam added. 

Islam was also endorsed by progressive Reps. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.) and Ro Khanna (D-Calif.). 

The 30-year-old candidate is running on a progressive platform including support for “Medicare for All,” a $15-an-hour minimum wage and a pledge to back the Green New Deal. 

In 2018, the district’s election was one of the tightest in the nation. Republican Rep. Rob Woodall narrowly defeated Democrat Carolyn Bourdeaux. 

Several Democrats are running in the June 9 primary, including Bourdeaux. 

Republicans are facing a crowded primary of their own after Woodall announced last year he would not seek reelection. 

The seat has long been held by a Republican, but Gwinnett County, which makes up a large portion of the 7th District, voted for Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton in 2016 and Democratic gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams in 2018, signaling a shift in the electorate’s demographics. 

The Cook Political Report rates the race a “toss-up.”