As part of a show of national figures stepping into a hotly contested local Democratic primary, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., endorsed Philadelphia mayoral candidate Helen Gym, in a statement made exclusively to The Intercept. Widely viewed to be the most progressive candidate in the race, Gym is in a statistical tie with her four main primary opponents, according to a new poll released Friday.
Ocasio-Cortez became the third member of the Squad — a band of congressional progressives garnering national attention — to endorse Gym. Rep. Ayanna Pressley, D-Mass., endorsed Gym on Friday; Jamaal Bowman, D-N.Y., also recently endorsed her.
“Helen isn’t afraid to take on tough fights or go up against big special interests. And when she does, she wins,” Ocasio-Cortez said.“She’s delivered real results for her constituents — making communities safer, housing more affordable, and public schools stronger. I am proud to endorse her.”
In a statement to The Intercept, Gym’s campaign manager Brendan McPhillips said, “While other candidates have the political machine and dark money donors in their corner, we have the people, and that’s how we’re going to win this race: by talking to everyday Philadelphians about the safe, vibrant, thriving city we all deserve.”
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