Insider Says Sen. Gillibrand Could Face Primary Challenge From AOC

Insiders claim that Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand could be facing a stiff Democratic primary challenge from Rep. Alexandria Ocasio Cortez or another far-left candidate.

Gillibrand, the state’s junior senator, who was first appointed to the job a decade ago by former Gov. Last week, Paterson announced her intention to run for re-election by 2024.

Two-term lawmaker would be formidable. Her campaign committee has more than $4million.

According to her most recent filings, AOC has $5.4 million in her campaign war cash.

“She could do it. Oh, my God, could she do it,” Ryan Adams, a New York City-based Democratic Consultant who works often with progressive candidates, spoke out in support of the AOC challenge.

“If she ran for Senate the fundraising that would come in from all around the country would easily make her competitive. And nobody campaigns like her. Everyone would come out,” Adams continued. “The apparatus that would spring up around her would be unstoppable. People would fly in from other states to volunteer with her.”

A close source to AOC stated that the congresswoman was interested, but would not elaborate. There was fevered speculation Last year, she had the idea of challenging Sen. Chuck Schumer. However, it was abandoned. An ex-staffer for the congresswoman told The Post last year AOC could easily defeat Gilly in a primary.

Bronx Rep. Ritchie Torres is also being considered as a possible opponent. He has a respectable $3.8million in his campaign bank.

“There are rumblings in his circles pushing him to eventually go for the Senate,” A source close to Torres said that the congressman was not enthusiastic about the idea and is more concerned with growing his seniority in Congress. Torres recently donated $10,000 to Gillibrand’s re-election fund.

“I don’t think it’s impossible,” Jeremy Cohen, co-chairman of the New York City Democratic Socialists of America, said of a progressive primary against Gillibrand, adding that the Big Apple’s card-carrying reds would be watching the senator closely to see if she would be a champion of their causes — “like Bernie Sanders.”

The Post did not reach out to AOC or Torres Reps.

Experts believe Gillibrand is vulnerable due to a number of factors. Throughout her career in Washington D.C. the senator has worked under the shadow of Senator Schumer, who is now Senate Minority Leader and an old-school dealmaker.

Gillibrand is known for being a champion for certain marquee liberal causes but she hasn’t made a name of herself as an advocate. “pot-hole” senator like Schumer or his predecessor Al D’Amato, critics say.

“She is a policy person on issues which New Yorkers care about — like women’s issues and reforming the code of military justice — but the average person in the South Bronx is not thinking about this,” Hank Sheinkopf is a veteran Democratic strategist.

Others noted that Gillibrand, an upstater, didn’t have a natural power base in New York City and was also deflated by a lackluster presidential campaign 2020

AOC would also have the expected baggage, such as past positions. defund the policeCritique of IsraelShe and her opposition to an Amazon headquarters Queens. Gov. was almost cost by out-of-control crimes, which were a result of progressive policies. Hochul her reelection.

Team Gillibrand stated that they are confident.

“From making gun trafficking a federal crime to securing health benefits for 9/11 survivors and our veterans to bringing home millions of dollars to boost the economy, Senator Gillibrand has delivered for the people of New York. She’s confident New Yorkers will re-elect her,” Evan Lukaske, spokesperson.