Democratic socialist Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez is facing criticism for refusing to debate her Democratic opponent, Marty Dolan, in the upcoming June 25 primary. Dolan, a retired Wall Street banker, requested a formal debate with AOC after she received free airtime on the CBS “Late Night Show” with Stephen Colbert. Despite the request, Ocasio-Cortez has not responded, leading Dolan to accuse her of avoiding the debate and claiming that she believes she is above the democratic process.
Ocasio-Cortez is heavily favored to win re-election to a fourth term against Dolan, who is running on limited funds after personally lending money to his campaign. While AOC has a significant campaign treasury of $6 million, Dolan believes that voters deserve to hear a debate between him and Ocasio-Cortez to discuss their differing views. Dolan identifies himself as a moderate, contrasting himself with Ocasio-Cortez’s “radical” views, such as her support for New York’s sanctuary policy and the Green New Deal, which he argues would increase electricity costs for her constituents.
The 14th Congressional District, which Ocasio-Cortez represents, includes portions of The Bronx and Queens. In the 2020 primary, Ocasio-Cortez debated her then-opponent, Michelle Caruso-Cabrera, in a heated showdown on BronxNet. While she did not face a Democratic primary opponent in 2022, Dolan is seeking a debate to provide voters with an opportunity to compare their views on various issues. Despite labeling Ocasio-Cortez as “AWOL” for not responding to his debate request, Dolan continues to push for the chance to debate her on their differing platforms.
Dolan criticizes Ocasio-Cortez’s support for policies like the sanctuary policy and the Green New Deal, which he believes goes against his own views on illegal immigration and economic concerns. He argues that freezing illegal immigration is a better approach and believes Ocasio-Cortez’s policies would have negative consequences for her constituents. Dolan accuses Ocasio-Cortez of being more focused on national fame than on serving her district, claiming that she is unable to effectively perform both roles.
Despite Dolan’s efforts to engage Ocasio-Cortez in a debate, she has not responded to his requests. The congresswoman’s campaign has not provided any immediate comment on the matter. As the June 25 primary approaches, the debate between Ocasio-Cortez and Dolan remains uncertain, leaving voters without an opportunity to hear a direct comparison of their views and policies. Dolan continues to criticize Ocasio-Cortez for avoiding the debate, while she maintains a significant advantage in campaign funds and support within her district.
