Residents of New York's 14th Congressional District are voicing their frustration with their representative, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY). The New York Post has highlighted complaints from constituents who feel that Ocasio-Cortez has become increasingly detached from the communities she represents, particularly noting poorly staffed district offices and limited accessibility.
The Bronx office of Rep. Ocasio-Cortez is reportedly open only once a week, while the Queens office closes on Fridays. Constituents have encountered difficulties in reaching out for assistance, often greeted with locked doors, "by appointment only" signs, or surveillance cameras, rather than help from her staff. Lauro Vazquez, a resident of Woodside, Queens, expressed his discontent bluntly, stating, "This woman has done nothing for the community she was once again elected to serve."
Town hall meetings, which were once regular monthly events, have now become scarce. At a recent town hall in Jackson Heights, Ocasio-Cortez's appearance was brief, and she left less than an hour after the event started, leaving many questions unanswered. Tatiana Lacatus, another Jackson Heights resident, criticized Ocasio-Cortez for prioritizing national travel and speaking engagements over direct interaction with her constituents.
Ramses Frias, a Republican City Council candidate from Elmhurst, deemed Ocasio-Cortez an "absentee landlord" and questioned the impact of her populist rhetoric when contrasted with her travel habits, including the use of private jets. An examination of records from the Federal Election Commission revealed that Ocasio-Cortez's campaign spent over $100,000 on air travel in the past year.
Curtis Sliwa, a Republican and former mayoral candidate, echoed the sentiment, accusing Ocasio-Cortez of neglecting her district and focusing too much on social media presence. Despite her national political activism, Ocasio-Cortez's local actions have drawn criticism. Her opposition to Amazon's planned headquarters in Queens, which led to the withdrawal of the project and the loss of an estimated 25,000 jobs, remains a point of contention.
In 2021, Ocasio-Cortez volunteered at a food bank in Houston, Texas, raising over $5 million in relief aid after winter storms hit the state. However, her response to Hurricane Ida's impact on New York later that year was perceived as less vigorous by some constituents. Amidst these concerns, her political fundraising continues robustly, with a record-setting $9.6 million raised in the first quarter of 2025, fueling speculation about a potential presidential run in 2028.
The congresswoman's office recently circulated a survey among local businesses seeking feedback on tariffs, a move perceived by some, like retired nurse Jeanette Geary, as a veiled attempt to criticize former President Donald Trump rather than a genuine effort to support local enterprises.