Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez endorses Biden: ‘He’s not leaving this race’

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York, one of the most prominent progressives in the Democratic caucus, said Monday night that she supports President Biden.

“I spoke to the president this weekend,” Ms. Ocasio-Cortez said. told reporters outside the Capitol. “I have spoken to him extensively. He has made it clear then and since that he is participating in this race. The case is closed.”

She emphasized his efforts Monday to reiterate that message. “Joe Biden is our nominee,” she said. “He’s not leaving this race, he’s in this race, and I support him.”

Ms. Ocasio-Cortez said it was essential for Democrats to refocus on former President Donald J. Trump and what he would do if re-elected. She told Mr. Biden to “re-engage more and more on the issues that are critical to working people in this country” — such as expanding Medicare and Social Security and making housing more affordable, she said.

“What I think is critically important now is that we focus on what it takes to win in November,” she said. “Because he’s running against Donald Trump, a man with 34 felony convictions — who has committed 34 felony convictions. And no Republican asked that Donald Trump not be the nominee.”

Members of Congress returned to Washington from recess Monday, and Democrats met to discuss their path forward.

While a handful of House Democrats have called for Biden to step aside since his debate appearance last month, he has received politically significant support from others, including members of the Congressional Black Caucus and the Congressional Hispanic Caucus — and now at least one member of the so-called Squad, a group of progressives that includes Ms. Ocasio-Cortez.