Fact Check: AOC urged supporters to rank other progressive candidates next to maximize the anti-Cuomo vote.

Fact Check: AOC Urged Supporters to Rank Other Progressive Candidates Next to Maximize the Anti-Cuomo Vote

What We Know

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (AOC) recently endorsed progressive candidate Zohran Mamdani in the Democratic primary for New York City mayor. In her endorsement, she ranked Mamdani first and explicitly encouraged her supporters to "do not rank Andrew Cuomo on your ballot at all. Leave the bubble next to his name blank" (amNewYork). AOC's strategy aims to leverage ranked-choice voting to consolidate support among progressive candidates and maximize the chances of defeating Cuomo, who has a significant lead in early polling (NY Times).

In her statements, AOC emphasized the importance of ranking other progressive candidates after Mamdani to create a united front against Cuomo, stating, "Rank Mamdani first, and then every other candidate who isn't Andrew Cuomo" (MSN). This approach reflects a broader strategy among progressive factions to ensure that votes are not wasted on candidates perceived as less viable against Cuomo.

Analysis

The claim that AOC urged her supporters to rank other progressive candidates to maximize the anti-Cuomo vote is substantiated by multiple sources. AOC's endorsement of Mamdani and her subsequent statements were widely reported, highlighting her explicit instructions to voters regarding the ranked-choice voting system (amNewYork, Politico).

The reliability of these sources is strong, as they include established news outlets like The New York Times and amNewYork, which have a history of covering political events accurately. Additionally, the context of AOC's comments is corroborated by various reports, indicating a concerted effort among progressive candidates to challenge Cuomo's candidacy, which is viewed unfavorably by many in the progressive wing of the Democratic Party (Latin Times, AOL).

Critically, AOC's endorsement and her call to action come at a time when the Democratic Party is grappling with internal divisions, particularly between establishment figures and progressive challengers. Her remarks not only reflect her support for Mamdani but also serve as a rallying cry for progressive voters to strategically utilize ranked-choice voting to their advantage (MSN, Politico).

Conclusion

The claim that AOC urged her supporters to rank other progressive candidates next to maximize the anti-Cuomo vote is True. Evidence from multiple credible sources confirms that AOC explicitly encouraged voters to rank Mamdani first and to avoid voting for Cuomo altogether. This strategic approach is aligned with the goals of the progressive movement within the Democratic Party to consolidate support against a candidate they view as emblematic of the establishment.

Fact Check: AOC urged supporters to rank other progressive candidates next to maximize the anti-Cuomo vote.