Virginia Gov.-elect Republican Glenn Youngkin beat former Gov. Terry McAuliffe, a Democrat, in the Nov. 2 election.
“We did turn out people, and we still lost,” said Tyler Law, a Democratic strategist and former Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee staffer. “While the loss was not big percent wise, it’s a massive swing from Biden’s margin one year ago.”
Ocasio-Cortez was not required to assist in achieving a Democratic triumph, she explained in an interview published on Sunday.
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"Before the Virginia elections, it was very clear that our help and our participation was not wanted or asked for," she said. "I think it's just sad. I think it was a mistake."
Ocasio-Cortez and members of the "Squad" said she could have done something to mitigate the "youth turnout collapse" that hit the election hard for Democrats.
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"Not a single person asked me to send an email, not even to my own list," she announced. "And then they turn around and say, 'It's their fault,' when I think it was communicated quite expressly that we were unwelcome to pitch in."
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Ocasio-Cortez's attitude echoed what she stated days following the election in a video posted on Instagram.
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"I know that Virginia was a huge bummer," Ocasio-Cortez stated in the video. "And honestly, if anything, I think that the results show the limits of trying to run a fully 100% super-moderated campaign that does not excite, speak to, or energize a progressive base, and frankly, we weren't even really invited to contribute to that race."
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Many moderate Democrats have denounced the Virginia loss — and a generally poor showing for Democrats throughout the off-year elections in races across the nation — on the party leaning too far toward progressive positions.
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In her interview with the Times, Ocasio-Cortez stressed the frustration that persists among many Democrats on Capitol Hill.
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"Frustration is there, and it's part of why the Progressive Caucus was holding out on passing both of these two pieces of legislation together, because we're like, listen, we're not going to take these empty promises anymore," Ocasio-Cortez explained to the Times, referencing the recent infrastructure bill and larger social spending package.
"You've got to give me something to work with, with my communities. And if you're not, how can I make the argument that they should turn out again?" she went on. "And this notion that saying 'We're not Trump' is enough — this is such a deeply demoralizing message."
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