Catalina Lauf has recently announced her plans to run for Congress in Illinois as an anti- Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and will be fighting for a Democratic seat held by Lauren Underwood right outside of Chicago (14th congressional district).
It is not clear exactly what her plans are at the moment, and how she is hoping to dethrone AOC from her current position as the face of a new generation of politicians.
Moreover, many have speculated that she might have a very real chance at succeeding Democrat Underwood in the right-leaning district while supporting President Donald Trump‘s border wall and other top conservative priorities.
Can she have as much success as the liberal firebrand from New York given the way things have been going around Ocasio-Cortez herself?
Some have also pointed out that Lauf, 26, winning her seat could have some interesting implications on US politics too — for example; she would be the first woman to reach Congress at such a young age, breaking a previous record held by Ocasio-Cortez herself.
That alone will hardly be enough to get her through the door though, and there is no doubt that she will have to put a lot of active work into overtaking AOC after all the popularity that she has gained in recent times.
At the same time, AOC has also been dealing with some backlash recently, regarding some of her politics, so it might be possible that Lauf could have a real shot at stealing some of her thunder in Congress.
Lauf told the New York Post: “I think it’s time that people step forward who want to unite the country and do it for the right reasons.”
She added: “I think people like AOC and that group are focusing on an agenda that is so detrimental to our country. They are not being leaders. They are part of the problem. I’m the daughter of a legal immigrant. We’re for legal immigration. That’s not racism. You should be a law-abiding citizen.”
She concluded by: “I want to break the stereotype that Republicans aren’t empathetic. Being Republican doesn’t mean I don’t care.”
Whether she will actually do anything productive with that position afterward is impossible to tell of course, but many have speculated that she might have a solid plan that could see AOC facing a very real challenge in the fight for the limelight.
Ocasio-Cortez herself has been quiet on the issue for the time being and has not provided any comments.
Lauf, who was born to an American father and Guatemalan mother, still has to face some criticism.
One person stated: “Where can we see your actual plans if you are elected? Not looking for PR hyperbole. Looking for plain facts, dates, names, costs – essentially, what is your business plan if you are elected?”
A fan replied: “You’ve got my vote! I live in the 14th and was disappointed with the Underwood win.”
Congresswoman Underwood is one of the 17 House Democrats facing a difficult race in 2020.
