Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez
Once again, Ocasio-Cortez has broken fundraising records, raising an eye-popping $9.6 million Q1 of 2025. This latest accomplishment represents her highest overall fundraising quarter ever. She and Senator Bernie Sanders have been campaigning all across the country. Led by a desire to stop President Donald Trump’s agenda and advance their own progressive one, this has created a massive wave of cash.
It’s likely why the vast majority of Ocasio-Cortez’s contributions during this time came from these new donors. Indeed, 64% of her donations came from new contributors—people who had never before given to her campaign. This trend reminds us all of her remarkable ability to galvanize new supporters, especially grassroots activists.
Her campaign manager, Oliver Hidalgo-Wohlleben, feels good about the support they’ve gained through these rallies. He agrees that Ocasio-Cortez’s outreach is really hitting home with voters across the country and clearly for that reason. The average donation size was $21. This one picture really drives home the deep base of majority-small-donor contributions that are a hallmark of her fundraising.
Ocasio-Cortez’s district only includes a few neighborhoods in the Bronx and Queens, nearly the entire rest of New York City is fair game. She’s become a surprising potential alternative to senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer. Schumer announced a Q3 fundraising total of only $144,742 for the quarter. That number clearly points to the tremendous grassroots energy that is propelling Ocasio-Cortez’s campaign.
She stressed the importance of small donations in achieving her campaign’s independence.
“I cannot convey enough how grateful I am to the millions of people supporting us with your time, resources, & energy,” – Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez
The rallies, titled “Fighting Oligarchy,” have allowed Ocasio-Cortez and Sanders to reach thousands of people across the country. And their collective work has catalyzed a huge grassroots movement to awaken and organize communities to stand up for deeply-felt progressive policies.
“It also means we are not beholden to any lobbyist, corporation, or billionaire,” – Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez
Addressing her supporters’ role in these efforts, Ocasio-Cortez said,
The political landscape has shifted dramatically. Whether or not she can beat Crowley in the end, Ocasio-Cortez is already making waves in the Democratic Party with her record fundraising haul and proven strategy of grassroots mobilization. The next few months will be telling. She’ll have to first overcome huge challenges, including possibly having to face heavyweights like Schumer himself.
“Your support has allowed us to rally people together at record scale to organize their communities,” – Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez
As the political landscape continues to evolve, Ocasio-Cortez’s record fundraising efforts, combined with her grassroots mobilization strategy, position her as a formidable figure within the Democratic Party. The upcoming months will be crucial as she navigates the challenges ahead, including potential primary competition against established figures like Schumer.
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