AOC hires former socialist leader to manage campaign funds

Ocasio-Cortez’s Campaign Ties to Longtime Socialist Leader Revealed

A former prominent member of the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) has been closely associated with Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s campaign since her initial bid for Congress in 2018. Frank Llewellyn, who previously served as the national director of the country’s largest socialist organization, now acts as the treasurer for Ocasio-Cortez’s campaign and her political action committee, Courage to Change.

Records indicate that Ocasio-Cortez’s campaign has disbursed over $250,000 to Llewellyn for various roles, including personnel and administrative tasks dating back to 2018. These expenses range from modest cell phone bills to bi-weekly paychecks of approximately $1,281.

Beyond his role in Ocasio-Cortez’s campaign, Llewellyn is also on the board of the DSA Foundation, a partner organization to the DSA. According to the foundation’s website, Llewellyn was instrumental in founding the Institute for Democratic Socialism, which later evolved into the Democratic Socialist Foundation of America.

Llewellyn has identified as a “lifetime member” of the DSA and has played a significant role in the organization since its inception in New York City. His tenure as national director from 2001 to 2011 saw notable achievements, including the election of Senator Bernie Sanders in 2006, which he celebrated in an article highlighting the DSA’s pivotal support for Sanders’ campaign.

Looking ahead, Llewellyn emphasizes the importance of leveraging grassroots networks and fostering connections with progressive Democrats, especially as they continue to support Sanders’ initiatives. He remains actively engaged with local chapters of the DSA, posting frequently about prominent socialist candidates and advocating for policy changes.

In a recent analysis, there are concerns regarding rising socialist sentiments, especially with candidates like Zoran Mamdani, who is backed heavily by the DSA and shares a similar ideological framework with Ocasio-Cortez and Sanders. While Mamdani enjoys popularity in the race for New York mayor, a Fox News poll indicates that capitalism still holds a majority favor, though there is significant support for higher taxes on wealthy individuals.

Both Ocasio-Cortez and Sanders continue to champion Mamdani’s campaign, having participated in events to galvanize support against perceived corporate greed. However, they have faced criticism for their lavish spending during tours, particularly concerning the accommodations and travels associated with their anti-oligarchy initiatives.