Michelle Caruso-Cabrera, a former anchor at CNBC, said on Tuesday that she’s challenging Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) in the Democratic primary later this year.
Ocasio-Cortez, 30, stunned political observers in 2018 when she defeated longtime incumbent Rep. Joe Crowley (D-N.Y.) and took the seat representing New York’s 14th District, which includes parts of the boroughs of Queens and the Bronx. She’s drawn media attention from both sides of the spectrum for her positions, comments, and actions.
Caruso-Cabrera spent more than 20 years at CNBC, covering a wide range of stories. The network said Tuesday she wouldn’t be a contributor any longer.
“I am the daughter and granddaughter of working class Italian and Cuban immigrants,” Caruso-Cabrera said in a statement. “I am so lucky to have had such a wonderful career and I want everybody to have the opportunity that I’ve had. That’s why I’m running.”
According to her campaign website, Caruso-Cabrera learned about achieving the American dream while watching her parents and grandparents work long hours. The Wellesley College graduate, a former Univision producer, has little information on her positions on the site.
Caruso-Cabrera wrote a book in 2010 called “You Know I’m Right: More Prosperity, Less Government.” The book calls for “fiscal conservatism, limited government, and personal responsibility,” according to its description.
Caruso-Cabreba is the fifth Democrat to announce a challenge to Ocasio-Cortez. The others include city Councilman Fernando Cabrera, activist Badrun Khan, and leasing consultant Jose Velazquez.
The Republican primary will feature eight candidates, including housing specialist Israel Ortega Cruz, retired police officer John Cummings, and entrepreneur Scherie Murray.
The New York primaries will take place on April 28.
