In a bold move on Wednesday, three billboard ads appeared in New York City’s Times Square featuring the face of Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez endorsing Marty Dolan, a former Wall Street banker who is challenging her in a Democratic primary contest on June 25. The ads, paid for by a PAC affiliated with the Job Creators Network, criticize Ocasio-Cortez for pushing out Amazon jobs and highlight issues like rising crime and illegal immigration chaos, urging voters to support Dolan. However, Dolan’s face is noticeably absent from the ads.
The Job Creators Network, founded in 2010 by Home Depot co-founder Bernie Marcus, is funding the $100,000 ad blitz against Ocasio-Cortez. Marcus, who is worth an estimated $9.7 billion, continues to support JCN but does not involve himself in the day-to-day activities of the organization. In response to the ad campaign, Ocasio-Cortez took to Twitter to address the influx of money and support from billionaires and corporate lobbyists, emphasizing her refusal to take money from such sources. The congresswoman remains confident in her ability to win despite facing significant financial opposition.
Marcus, a 95-year-old billionaire, remains politically active and endorsed Donald Trump in November. He has donated to various conservative causes and organizations, including the Republican Congressional Leadership Fund and the Protect the House 2024 PAC. The Job Creators Network’s discontent with Ocasio-Cortez stems from her role in opposing Amazon’s planned corporate campus in Queens in February 2019, which led to the online retailer pulling out of the deal. The JCN ran its first Times Square ad campaign targeting AOC soon after, blaming her for the loss of billions in potential economic activity.
The Job Creators Network’s second Times Square ad against Ocasio-Cortez appeared in March 2023 following her criticism of Amazon’s failed investment in Queens. Despite their efforts, Dolan’s chances of unseating Ocasio-Cortez seem slim, as her campaign committee has over $5 million in cash while Dolan has raised less than $10,000 from outside donors. The 66-year-old challenger has loaned his own campaign over $200,000, indicating a significant financial gap between the two candidates. Ocasio-Cortez continues to receive support from her constituents and remains a formidable opponent in the upcoming primary election.
Overall, the ongoing battle between Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Marty Dolan highlights the influence of big money and powerful interests in political campaigns. While Dolan receives support from wealthy donors and PACs like the Job Creators Network, Ocasio-Cortez’s grassroots fundraising efforts and refusal to accept corporate donations demonstrate her commitment to representing the interests of everyday Americans. As the primary election approaches, voters will have to consider the implications of outside influence on political candidates and the importance of transparency and accountability in campaign financing.
