Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s campaign used recent criticism from fellow New York Democrat Tom Suozzi as a fundraising tool, amplifying a public split within the state’s House delegation over the role of Democratic Socialists in the party.
A fundraising solicitation highlighted a Sept. 2 New York Post headline quoting Suozzi that “Mamdani, AOC and other DSA members should leave party,” and the campaign framed the remarks as evidence of continued hostility toward the congresswoman. The solicitation said a colleague had been "shocked" by how hostile some members of the party were toward Ocasio-Cortez when she arrived in Congress and suggested she still faces that hostility today.
Suozzi, a moderate who represents parts of Nassau County and Queens and who leads the bipartisan Problem Solvers Caucus, told CBS New York’s Marcia Kramer on Sept. 2 that Zohran Mamdani and other members of the Democratic Socialists of America should form their own party. "Zohran Mamdani and other Democratic Socialists should create their own party because I don’t want that in my party," Suozzi said in the interview.
Suozzi later told the New York Post he stood by his remarks and criticized socialism and what he described as the DSA's anti-police positions, saying they had "failed everywhere." A Suozzi spokesperson declined to comment on Ocasio-Cortez’s use of his comments in her fundraiser.
Ocasio-Cortez, who represents parts of western Queens and the Bronx and is a leading figure of the House "Squad," has frequently embraced the activist label while defending progressive policy proposals. Her campaign text pushed back against Suozzi’s criticism by highlighting policy goals it described as "common sense," including expanded health care protections to prevent medical bankruptcy, more affordable housing, and measures to curb corporate excess. The solicitation asked supporters for $5 contributions and included the line, "If this is what makes us 'radical,' then we wear that label proudly."
The confrontation comes as Ocasio-Cortez has publicly pressed congressional Democratic leaders for support of Zohran Mamdani, a candidate she backed in the New York City mayoral race, and criticized Sen. Chuck Schumer, House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries and other establishment figures for not rallying behind him after an upset in a June primary. A Jeffries spokesman had no immediate comment.
Political observers say the exchange underscores broader tensions within the Democratic Party between centrist lawmakers who emphasize bipartisan deals and moderates who view progressive insurgents as liabilities, and left-wing members who argue that more aggressive policy proposals are necessary to energize the base. The disagreement between Suozzi and Ocasio-Cortez also reflects localized dynamics in New York, where different constituencies and political traditions converge.
Ocasio-Cortez first won national attention with her 2018 primary victory and has remained a prominent voice for the left wing of the party since. Suozzi, who has long positioned himself as a moderate voice and a participant in cross-aisle problem-solving, has criticized what he views as the DSA’s influence in Democratic politics. Their public exchange highlights how intra-party disputes can quickly migrate from local media remarks into national fundraising and messaging strategies as lawmakers seek to define party direction ahead of future elections.
Both sides framed their positions around party identity and policy priorities rather than personal animus. The immediate political impact of the exchange appears to be a spotlighted disagreement and a short-term fundraising benefit for Ocasio-Cortez; neither lawmaker has announced plans to pursue formal disciplinary or expulsion measures within the party.
As the 2026 campaign cycle approaches, tensions between different Democratic factions are likely to resurface in public statements, endorsements and fundraising appeals, particularly in competitive or high-profile states like New York where intraparty contests can carry national consequences.
