Chamber to Back Democratic Challenger to Ocasio-Cortez

(Bloomberg) -- The U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the powerful lobbying group usually allied with Republicans, is planning to back a Democratic primary challenger to progressive Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, according to the group’s senior political strategist.

The strategist, Scott Reed, said the group is looking to support former CNBC anchor Michelle Caruso-Cabrera, who is challenging Ocasio-Cortez, a freshman, for the Democratic nomination in the New York City district.

The plan was earlier reported by Politico.

Although the chamber has made overtures toward bipartisanship as the group’s free trade and pro-immigration stances have grown increasingly unpopular among Republicans in the Trump era, the group’s political giving has overwhelming favored the GOP, according to the Center for Responsive Politics, which tracks campaign spending.

As recently as January, the chamber’s chief executive officer, Tom Donohue, said he would fight liberal policies emerging from the Democratic left wing.

Ocasio-Cortez, known for her advocacy of the “Green New Deal” to combat climate change and confrontations with Republicans and the House Democratic leadership alike, has become a target of conservative ire and one of the most visible members of the party’s left. Her office didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment.

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