Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) recently described the progressive rhetoric of 2020 as 'Woke 1', framing it as a distinct era of policy advocacy that has since shifted. Her comments came during an interview on ABC News’ This Week, where she addressed past statements by Francesca Hong, the Democratic candidate for Wisconsin governor, who previously called for abolishing prisons and defunding the police.
Ocasio-Cortez stated that Hong has 'moved away from' those positions, adding: 'I have a local city councilman who has this saying, “Woke 1 was crazy,” and I think that what’s important is that we have to assess what a candidate is saying now.' She attributed the 2020 political climate to the COVID-19 pandemic, describing it as a 'huge opening of the Overton window' where policies like defunding the police were widely discussed.
Hong, who is running in Wisconsin’s Democratic gubernatorial primary, has since revised her past statements. In 2020, she tweeted: 'Cancel Thanksgiving. Should have done this in 1621.' She later clarified that she would celebrate Thanksgiving with her family, stating: 'I'm not going to cancel Thanksgiving.'
Ocasio-Cortez’s 2020 Advocacy Echoes Hong’s Past Positions
Ocasio-Cortez herself has faced scrutiny for previously defending or promoting similar views. In 2018, she objected to the term 'woke' as a 'derogatory euphemism for civil rights & justice.' However, in the ABC interview, she distanced herself from the 2020 rhetoric, calling it a product of the pandemic-era political climate.
Hong’s past statements included claims that 'police exist to uphold white supremacy' and that 'reform can’t be an option.' She also argued for defunding the police as a step toward abolition. Ocasio-Cortez did not directly address her own prior support for such policies but emphasized evaluating candidates based on their current positions.
Context: The 2020 Political Climate and the Overton Window
Ocasio-Cortez described the 2020 era as a period of 'fruitful discussions' where policies like defunding the police were widely debated. She stated: 'During this time, and especially during COVID, there was a huge opening of the Overton window. We were shut down. There was some of the highest unemployment rates that we have seen because of those shutdowns.'
The term 'Overton window' refers to the range of policies considered politically acceptable. Ocasio-Cortez suggested that the pandemic and social unrest created an environment where previously radical ideas gained mainstream traction.
Hong’s Evolving Stance and Public Response
Francesca Hong, who is of half-white heritage, previously made comments about her discomfort with her son’s whiteness, stating: 'being in proximity to whiteness.' She has since walked back these remarks, though they remain a point of contention in her campaign.
Her campaign has emphasized her current positions, including economic policies for Wisconsin, while downplaying her past rhetoric. Ocasio-Cortez’s framing of 'Woke 1' aligns with a broader trend among progressives to distance themselves from 2020-era advocacy, particularly on policing and criminal justice reform.
Reactions and Broader Implications
The shift in rhetoric has sparked debate within the Democratic Party. Some critics argue that the backtracking undermines progressive values, while supporters contend that political messaging must evolve with public sentiment. The 2026 elections will test whether voters accept these revised positions or view them as inconsistent.
Ocasio-Cortez has not ruled out a 2028 presidential bid, and her comments reflect a strategic pivot to appeal to a broader electorate ahead of potential higher office.