The primary elections have turned their back on AOC, with the exception of the state senate in New York, where the Latina Kristen González stands out. The young Puerto Rican woman shares a similar profile to that of the elected congresswoman: the two of them defeated Democratic establishment figures in Spanish-speaking enclaves like Sunset Park.
González, 27, is a daughter of a single mother. She was born in Puerto Rico and was raised in Queens. She will be the third socialist senator in Albany, joining senators Jabari Brisport and Julia Salazar after unfavorable results in the national race for congress, where AOC will see her influence diminished.
LPO spoke with Kristen Gonzalez after her victory in the primary elections:
You defeated an establishment Democratic candidate, Elizabeth Crowley, cousin of the congressman from whom AOC took the seat. How did you achieve this victory?
I think we won because we have organized the basis work very well, with 700 volunteers, 3000 donors and many hours talking to people in the community. But above all because we talk about the issues that concern people, such as housing or universal health, and in these neighborhoods we especially focus on climate change, because we are close to the water, and if we do not change environmental management we will be quickly affected.
How do you feel when someone compares you with AOC?
Yes, they compare me and I am proud of it. She represents the same territory in Congress. We are both Puerto Ricans from humble working families, and socialists. AOC has been a very efficient legislator, raising many millions and pushing the Green New Deal. I tried to follow her as her support has been essential. I feel confident in what we can achieve in the Senate, it is a very broad base that gives us support, with members of the assembly and representatives from across the political spectrum.
Do you think that your way of doing politics connects with young people and that puts the old politics within the Party at risk?
My generation is more progressive, younger people have ideas of change. My district is one of the most progressive in the city and in the country. We do not believe in the same political machine or political dynasties. I battled the congressman's cousin that AOC defeated. We are fed up of these people , we want transparent leaders. We do different politics.
I started when I was very young, organizing in high school. Age does not matter if you care about your community. In topics such as the climate, people have to get involved when they are young, just as I did. I have also worked in the White House and in Senator (Chuck) Schumer's office. And that allowed me to witness how career politicians take money from corporate interests, that leaves us sold to the working class. I have seen that and that is why I want to fight it. For example, during my campaign we have not accepted that money. We did not accept money from the real estate sector. We have succeeded doing other kind of politics.
Despite your victory, at the national level things do not seem to predict good results for a Democratic Party that is splitted.
There is a rise of a very organize extreme right within the Republican Party. That has had terrible consequences, for example, in the repeal of Roe vs. Wade, or in gun control issues. We must organize ourselves better and to the left of the Democratic Party, besides of protecting our rights.
Are you worried about the gap between moderates and progressives?
I think that when the time comes there is unity. In my career, I could see democrats with different tendencies supporting us, and that is what I would like to see at the national level. We must be united against the extreme right. Working class must be organized, no matter where you are on the Democratic spectrum. For us, the future lies in what we can do for working families, and not forgetting immigrants.
What I really want is to serve as a senator.
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