The evolution of A.O.C

What Have You Learned Since You Were Here? How Have You Been During the 2018 Legislating Session?

I think many other people might not be the same as me when I first came into office. There are a lot of people that are elected with a history of legislating. I felt I needed to prove two things at the same time in order to win over one another.

The gender dynamics come from being a poor or working class person going into a privilege that is extraordinary. There were many years of learning ahead of me.

33 is a time when people are established in their careers and have plans for the future. The words “evolving, but roots” kind of captures that tension. So I want to explore that with you. You’re in your third term. Your job’s not new. Since you were elected in 2018, a lot has changed. What is the biggest change you’ve made since taking office?

I think I have a sense of steadiness and confidence in what I’m doing. My election was characterized by a lot of upheaval, both nationally and personally. We were in a time of great political upheaval when President Trump was elected. The Democratic Party at that time was overwhelmed by the enormity of the issues it dealt with. There was a transition between old and newer parties in terms of where we were coming from.

Then also myself. I was working as a waitress until March. And I won my primary just a few short months later. And even coming into Washington, not just figuring out how I orient myself politically, coming from a background of direct action and activism, but then also adding on the entire profession of legislating at a federal level.