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In parts of Queens and the Bronx, residents are expressing increasing dissatisfaction with Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, claiming that she has distanced herself from the very communities that elected her to Congress. Constituents describe her as more focused on national fame than on local concerns, accusing her of neglecting her district in favor of a broader political profile.
Locals say her congressional offices are difficult to reach, with limited hours and often-unanswered phone calls. Some constituents report needing to schedule appointments just to voice basic concerns, despite the offices receiving nearly $2 million annually in public funding. One office is reportedly open only once during the week, and the other remains closed on Fridays.
Town halls, once a staple of her community engagement, have reportedly become infrequent and less interactive. Some residents claim that when these meetings do occur, she’s either not present in person or offers limited time for public questions. At a recent gathering in Jackson Heights, AOC reportedly stayed less than an hour and answered only a handful of questions before departing quickly.
Lauro Vazquez, a resident of Woodside, voiced a common frustration: “She’s not showing up for the people here. She’s off traveling or promoting herself nationally while ignoring what matters in our neighborhoods.”
The criticism intensified after her recent “Fighting the Oligarchy” tour with Sen. Bernie Sanders, during which several local events were delayed or canceled. One Jackson Heights resident joked that she was “too busy flying on private jets to fight the oligarchy.”
Others, including City Council candidate Ramses Frias, have referred to her as an “absentee landlord,” suggesting she’s out of touch with everyday issues like traffic, jobs, and crime that directly impact her constituents. “She talks about big national causes but seems disconnected from people shopping at the corner store or dealing with local flooding,” he said.
Some residents also point to examples of her prioritizing issues outside of New York. In 2021, AOC raised millions for Texas after severe winter storms, but constituents say she was less visible when parts of her own district were affected by Hurricane Ida or struggling through the pandemic.
More recently, she publicly supported a Columbia student involved in anti-Israel activism who was arrested, even though he doesn’t reside in her district. Critics argue she often uses such moments to elevate her national image.
“She helps when there’s media attention,” said Gloria Contreras of Jackson Heights. “But when it’s just us here at home, she’s nowhere to be found.”
Despite her strong progressive following and large social media presence, the mood in parts of her district suggests a growing divide between AOC’s public persona and the expectations of those she represents locally.
