AOC is running out of time to challenge Sen. Chuck Schumer

If New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D) is planning to challenge Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY) as he seeks reelection this year, she is running out of time.

New York state’s filing deadline for the June 28 Democratic primary closes April 7, notes reporting from The Washington Examiner.

Relative Congressional newcomer AOC has been floated as a potential challenger to Schumer, who will be running for re-election in the 2022 midterms. She has never openly confirmed these ambitions, but also has not ruled out the possibility.

Schumer is a fixture of New York politics and has led the Democratic caucus as both majority and minority leader. It is widely accepted he would be very difficult to unseat, which led to some of Ocasio-Cortez’s Republican political enemies to encourage a confrontation – most notably, former President Donald Trump, who teased Schumer about a possible primary challenge during stalled budget negotiations in October.

The Bronx Congresswoman has a track record of defeating establishment figures, upending 10-term incumbent and Democratic Caucus Chair Joe Crowley in the 2018 Democratic primary before easily defeating Republican Anthony Pappas. She is also a prolific fundraiser with one of the largest social media followings on Capitol Hill.

Despite this, most experts say AOC stands little chance in defeating Schumer and his well-established network of supporters and volunteers.

James Coleman Battista, an associate professor of political science at the University of Buffalo, told the Examiner Ocasio-Cortez’s “dense, very heavily Democratic district might be a better match for her, since a smaller cadre of very deep supporters can knock on a higher proportion of doors in her target areas, as opposed to the numbers you'd need to knock on doors in suburban or exurban areas.”

A report in Politico indicates the veteran Schumer is keeping a close eye on the situation and any potential developments.