AOC's Campaign Spends Nearly $50,000 on Luxury Hotel Stays

The re-election campaign for Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez has incurred nearly $50,000 in expenses for hotel stays across the country over the past seven months. Campaign finance records indicate that approximately $47,000 was spent on 45 hotel charges between April and November.

Among the expenditures were several high-end accommodations. The campaign reported a $5,044 charge at The Memphian, a boutique hotel in Memphis known for its spa services and rooftop bar. In Atlanta, $1,599 and $2,694 were spent at The Candler Hotel, a luxury establishment in a historic high-rise. The campaign also incurred a $2,274 bill at The Talbott, a hotel located in Chicago's Gold Coast neighborhood. In Manhattan, the campaign spent $530.46 at the Thompson Central Park hotel and $318 at the Hyatt Seville NoMad.

According to industry classifications, all 45 hotel stays were at properties categorized as "luxury," "upscale," or "upper upscale." The campaign noted that these hotel bills covered the expenses for her entire team and may have included multiple stays for multiple nights. Room rates at these hotels generally range from approximately $130 to over $1,800 per night, depending on the establishment and room type.

These travel expenses coincide with Ocasio-Cortez's efforts to support Democratic candidates in the lead-up to the November midterm elections and her ongoing role in national political discourse. The New York Democrat has been a vocal advocate for progressive policies and has used her platform to campaign for other candidates across the country.

Republican opponents have criticized the spending. Anthony Constantino, a candidate for New York's 21st House District, stated, "All Democrats want to do is take donor money and buy nice things for themselves. AOC is a con artist." Joseph Hernandez, a candidate for state comptroller, referred to Ocasio-Cortez as a "champagne communist," drawing parallels to his experience growing up in a communist country.

In addition to hotel stays, Ocasio-Cortez's campaign also reported expenditures for luxury car services. These include $1,791 for Golden Class Limo, $659 for Singh Car Service, $1,257 for Sleek Shuttle Service, and $1,406 for Blacklane. Overall, Ocasio-Cortez's campaign has raised over $37 million this year, with nearly $18 million remaining on hand after spending or transferring approximately $24 million.