Democrat Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez stuck to her working class roots and Puerto Rican heritage to pull out a big win, while becoming the youngest women ever elected to Congress.
The 29-year-old former bartender, with a degree in economics and international relations from Boston University, stood before cheering voters and announced, "We have made history tonight." It was a huge victory for the woman whose mother was a cleaner and whose father passed away when she was just nineteen.
She went on to say in her victory speech:
"This is what is possible when everyday people come together in the collective realization that all our actions, no matter how small or how large, are powerful, worthwhile and capable of lasting change.
Words cannot express my gratitude to every organizer, every small-dollar donor, every working parent and dreamer who helped make this movement happen.
And that's exactly what this is. Not a campaign or an election day, but a movement, a larger movement for social, economic and racial justice in America."
The news of Ocasio-Cortez's victory spread through social media.
HISTORY! Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez just became the youngest woman ever elected to Congress! https://t.co/9Y4miNsVJV— Michael Skolnik (@Michael Skolnik) 1541557235.0
Congratulations to Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez @Ocasio2018 on being elected to the US House of Representatives, with a… https://t.co/UOgurEgp8Y— Chris Williamson (@Chris Williamson) 1541575720.0
We'll keep pushing to transform the Democratic Party as long as those at the top of the party are wealthier, whiter… https://t.co/dQ6jLVoZWx— Waleed Shahid (@Waleed Shahid) 1541603435.0
@MichaelSkolnik @katielambeski @Ocasio2018 Love her!— Nadja Mattata 🦄🙈 (@Nadja Mattata 🦄🙈) 1541559421.0
@yaynadja The future 🙌— Katie Lambeski (@Katie Lambeski) 1541559562.0
@MichaelSkolnik @Ocasio2018 Congrats Ocasio. I’m so proud and hope to make a great future for us NYorkers!!!!!— Noey (@Noey) 1541558348.0
@MichaelSkolnik @CarlosM61269234 @Ocasio2018 https://t.co/baqGVCyumN— NoFascism (@NoFascism) 1541586570.0
@MichaelSkolnik @ECMcLaughlin @Ocasio2018 https://t.co/SrmyhhwXcB— NASTY WOMAN (she/her) 🌊🇺🇸 (@NASTY WOMAN (she/her) 🌊🇺🇸) 1541562235.0
@MichaelSkolnik @feliciaday @Ocasio2018 https://t.co/xLvVuPQmq6— Sara (@Sara) 1541558676.0
@MichaelSkolnik @OnBakerStreet @Ocasio2018 Fantastic!!! She'll be a great addition!— Jacki 'BooksArePeopleToo' 📚 🐷😺 (@Jacki 'BooksArePeopleToo' 📚 🐷😺) 1541557979.0
@MichaelSkolnik @SethAbramson @Ocasio2018 Awesome and with the engagement of our youth, we will see more!— Cheri Meadows #Vote (@Cheri Meadows #Vote) 1541558505.0
@MichaelSkolnik @Ocasio2018 I am so excited to see the change she helps bring to our country!— Betsy RalphTollefson (@Betsy RalphTollefson) 1541607246.0
@MichaelSkolnik @Ocasio2018 First millennial to be elected. Shift is coming...— DaShowCSU (@DaShowCSU) 1541589294.0
Congratulations, Congresswoman!