Ocasio-Cortez’s favorable, unfavorable ratings up: poll

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s favorable and unfavorable ratings have risen two months after her congressional swearing-in as the progressive firebrand cements her status as one of the country’s most high-profile politicians. 

Unfavorable ratings for the New York Democrat have increased more steeply than favorable ratings, according to a new Gallup poll released Friday. About 31 percent of the American adults polled view Ocasio-Cortez favorably, up from 24 percent in September, after her stunning primary victory over former Rep. Joe Crowley (D-N.Y.) but before she won the general election. Roughly 41 percent of those surveyed view her unfavorably, up from 26 percent in September. 

{mosads}Another 50 percent of respondents had no opinion of Ocasio-Cortez or have not heard of her.

The Bronx native, the youngest woman ever to serve in Congress, has garnered nearly unprecedented attention for a freshman member since her arrival on Capitol Hill, using her widely followed social media presence to push the Democratic Party further to the left and rebuke her political and media detractors.

Gallup notes that Ocasio-Cortez is more widely known than several other politicians at this point in their tenures. More people are aware of her than they were of Sens. Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) and Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), now staples of their respective parties, this early into their terms.

Support for the 29-year-old falls sharply along partisan lines. About 73 percent of Republican respondents viewed her unfavorably, with only 5 percent having a favorable view of her. Meanwhile, only 15 percent of the Democrats polled have a negative view of Ocasio-Cortez, while 56 percent view her in a positive light.

Her support has fallen by 21 points among Republicans since September, while her favorability has risen by 8 points among Democrats. 

Ocasio-Cortez has net-positive favorability ratings among traditionally Democratic-leaning groups in the poll, including adults aged 18 to 34 (+5), people of color (+20) and women (+4). Her support is underwater among more conservative-leaning demographics, including men (-24), whites (-24) and adults aged 55 and older (-22). She is also underwater by 5 points among independents.

Ocasio-Cortez won the 2018 general election by about 65 points in her safely Democratic district. 

Gallup surveyed 1,932 adults in all 50 states and the District of Columbia from Feb. 12-28. The poll has a margin of error of plus or minus 3 percentage points.