Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez Won a Second Primary That She Wasn’t Even Running in

On Tuesday, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez won a second congressional primary—this time without even running. She was officially nominated as the candidate for the Reform Party in New York’s 15th Congressional District in a write-in election, and her victory didn’t take an ounce of campaigning.

Cortez was one of 22 people who received write-in votes in the party’s primary including incumbent Democratic Rep. Jose Serrano. Cortez won the write-in election with nine votes. New York’s 15th District is composed of multiple Bronx neighborhoods and is similar to Cortez’s district with its large Hispanic population.

Cortez’s second win comes after a shocking and inspiring win against 10-term Rep. Joseph Crowley in New York’s 14th Congressional District last month. The New York City Board of Elections officially certified Cortez’s win in the 15th District however, New York candidates are not permitted to run in two districts. So, while Cortez is technically the Reform Party’s candidate, she is not allowed to run in both races. She had to politely reject the Reform Party’s nomination, but her spokesman said, “she’s proud of every vote she’s ever gotten.” Cortez reacted on Twitter:

Shockingly – and I’m told this is not a joke – we have ALSO won a primary in the neighboring 15th Congressional District via write-in campaign on the Reform line!

While I am honored that so many Bronxites are excited about our campaign, I will remain the Dem nominee for NY-14. https://t.co/edidvU5sOr

— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@Ocasio2018) July 11, 2018

Even though the Reform Party’s primary isn’t necessarily an influential election, it reveals how much support Cortez and her progressive campaign has gained in such a short amount of time.