Claims Of AOC Absenteeism Fuel Spat Among Queens Politicians

ASTORIA, QUEENS — A Queens state senator took to Twitter on Sunday to accuse U.S. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of being absent from her district, fueling an online feud that has embroiled several of the borough's top lawmakers.

The beef began with a Sunday evening tweet by State Sen. Jessica Ramos, whose district covers parts of Astoria, Jackson Heights, Elmhurst and Corona — overlapping substantially with Ocasio-Cortez's territory in Congress.

Ramos, herself a left-leaning lawmaker, joined a Twitter conversation that began with a medical student claiming that Ocasio-Cortez's office had ignored his request to meet about healthcare reform. Ocasio-Cortez, a prominent democratic socialist, apologized and asked for details about the snub.

"Maybe if you spent more time in your office and with your team you’d know what goes on," Ramos replied. "Just saying it would be nice if you breathed our air."

Ramos doubled down in numerous subsequent tweets that continued past midnight, calling Ocasio-Cortez "barely ever present in the community" and saying she had ignored repeated requests for a meeting.

"I have not spoken to my congressperson in months. Maybe more than a year?" Ramos added.

Others questioned that claim, including Ramos's state senate colleague Jabari Brisport — a democratic socialist who has supported Ocasio-Cortez — who shared photos showing Ramos and Ocasio-Cortez together as recently as March of this year.

Other Queens lawmakers also sided with Ocasio-Cortez in the burgeoning feud. State Assemblymember Zohran Mandani, who represents Astoria, said Ramos's account "just isn't true," adding that he had met with the congresswoman "multiple times."

Astoria City Councilmember Tiffany Cabán, also a self-identified socialist, said she too has worked closely with Ocasio-Cortez.

"From being able to communicate & work with my Congressperson directly to our teams working closely on policy, organizing and a lot more, me and my neighbors have benefited a lot from the mutual collaboration," Cabán said. (Ramos replied that "Both your experience and mine can be true.")

The bad blood between the two lawmakers comes despite similarities in their respective careers. Both took office after defeating more centrist Democrats, with Ramos toppling the former rogue Democrat José Peralta just months after Ocasio-Cortez upset Joe Crowley. (Ramos does not call herself a socialist.)

The dispute continued to roil the neighborhood's political sphere hours later, as Astoria district leader Shawna Morlock posted screenshots of a text conversation with Ramos as the two argued over her criticisms of Ocasio-Cortez.

Ramos later tamped down speculation by some Twitter users that her critiques were laying the groundwork for a primary challenge against Ocasio-Cortez.

"Nah," Ramos wrote. "Just want my congressional representative to be around and do their job in the community."

Reached for comment, a spokesperson for Ocasio-Cortez noted that the congresswoman held an outreach event as recently as July 6 in Jackson Heights, Ramos's home neighborhood.

"She met with staff and clients of Chhaya, a community group for which the Congresswoman was able to secure $2 million in an Appropriations bill this Spring," spokesperson Lauren Hitt said. "The Congresswoman has also held 6 town halls for constituents so far this year – in addition to several other meetings and events."

Ramos and Ocasio-Cortez have met twice in recent months, Hitt said — at an April campaign event in Astoria and a May Day rally weeks later.

"We did offer the Senator a one-on-one meeting during our April work period but unfortunately the date did not work for the Senator," Hitt added.

Ramos's office did not respond to a request for comment.