Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) is facing increased criticism from constituents who claim she has not adequately addressed rising crime and local concerns within her district. This comes despite her assertions of active community engagement and a recent national poll indicating her surprising popularity.
Councilman Robert Holden has been a vocal critic, stating, “She can’t be bothered doing mundane constituent services like addressing quality of life issues in her district. She’s too busy trying to make our entire country into a carbon copy of the failed Soviet Union — Queens and the Bronx deserve better.”
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Ocasio-Cortez has maintained her presence in the community.
She told Rolling Stone, “In national conversations, people see one thing, but at home, what people experience is my presence. I’m very present in New York. It’s not unusual for me to be walking down the street in Jackson Heights or in the South Bronx or in Astoria, and people see me and they have eyes on me.”
However, these claims are being challenged by constituents. Guadelupe Alvarez from Jackson Heights reported being “dismissed” by Ocasio-Cortez during a town hall when attempting to raise concerns about crime and quality of life. Alvarez also alleged that the town hall was tightly controlled with pre-written questions, leaving her feeling unheard.
The criticism intensifies amidst a significant increase in violent crime within Ocasio-Cortez’s district. According to NYPD data, violent crime has surged by 70% in her district since she assumed office. Some precincts, like the 110th in Queens, have seen an even more dramatic increase, with crime more than doubling (a 105% jump) during her tenure. Residents have expressed frustration with her continued focus on national issues amid this local crisis.
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Further local grievances include difficulty reaching her district offices, which have been described as understaffed and operating with limited hours. Her rejection of a large Amazon warehouse in her district also drew criticism, with Ocasio-Cortez stating, “We need to focus on good healthcare, living wages, affordable rent. Corporations that offer none of those things should be met w/ skepticism.”
Despite these local challenges, a recent AtlasIntel poll conducted between May 21 and May 27, 2025, revealed Ocasio-Cortez as a surprisingly popular national figure. The poll, which surveyed 3,469 participants, placed her third in political popularity, outpacing prominent figures like President Donald Trump, President Joe Biden, and former Vice President Kamala Harris. She achieved a 46% positivity rating against a 44% negativity rating, resulting in a net positive image of two points.
Former President Barack Obama and former First Lady Michelle Obama topped the popularity list. Ocasio-Cortez’s strong showing is notable given her active and vocal role in Congress, including a recent “rally against oligarchy” tour with Senator Bernie Sanders.
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The AtlasIntel poll provided the following demographic breakdown of its sample:
- Gender: Female (50.7%), Male (49.0%), Other/prefer not to identify (0.3%)
- Yearly household income: Below $50k (26.8%), $50k – $100k (33.2%), Above $100k (40.0%)
- Age: 18 – 29 (15.7%), 30 – 44 (23.5%), 45 – 64 (34.0%), 65+ (26.8%)
- Education Level: College degree or higher (48.0%), All other (52.0%)
- Race: White (69.9%), Black (8.3%), Hispanic (13.6%), Asian (3.6%), Other (4.6%)
- Partisanship: Republican (30.1%), Independent (43.0%), Democrat (26.8%)
- Region: Sub-urban (57.3%), Urban (22.1%), Rural (20.6%)
While Ocasio-Cortez has remained quiet about her future political ambitions, her significant national popularity has led some supporters to encourage a potential 2028 presidential run. However, locally, her “presence” continues to be questioned by constituents amid a challenging reality of rising crime rates.
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