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In April 2017, an ambitious New York waitress announced her candidacy for the House of Representatives. Her name was Alexandria Ocasio Cortéz, and her improbable run began with another unlikely victory over Joe Crowley in the Democratic primary for New York’s 14th district. Since then, the story is already known: she became an icon of progressivism and socialism in the United States. Likewise, another version of AOC is approaching Congress directly from Florida.
Maxwell Alejandro Frost is 25 years old, an Uber driver, and everything indicates that he will become the first legislator of the so-called Generation Z (those born between 1997 and 2012).
The young activist has experience as a community organizer, a referent of the “March for Our Lives,” and a volunteer for Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren campaigns. He is a hardcore progressive who bases his campaign on the following points:
- Medicare for all
- Restrict the Second Amendment
- Pass the Green New Deal through Congress
- “Demilitarize” the police force.
- “Massively increase funding for public housing and social housing in America”
Who is Maxwell Frost?
He is the son of an African-American and a Cuban woman who came to the United States to escape the Castro dictatorship in search of opportunity. Frost claimed to have experienced “police abuse” firsthand and how working people and people of color are unfairly marginalized and left behind in society.
He dropped out of college to concentrate fully on political activism for left-wing causes and worked as an Uber driver to support himself.
Despite his young age, Frost decided to set foot in DC and put his name down for a crowded Democratic primary for Florida’s 10th district. He faced off against nine other candidates, including a former state senator and a former state congressman.
“There has been a lot of hopelessness across the state over the last year. When people hear this message, one that says you deserve health care, one that says we should fight to ensure we prevent the climate crisis, and one that says you deserve these things by being human, it doesn’t matter. Whether you’re a Democrat or a Republican, it’s about people versus the problem,” the candidate said on the campaign trail.
Last Tuesday, August 23rd, he sang “victory” after obtaining 34.4% of the votes, which catapulted him directly to the general election, where Republican Calvin Wimbish awaits him.
His path to Congress is fairly clear, as Florida’s 10th district previously belonged to Val Demings and is heavily left-leaning. For example, its voters elected Joe Biden by 25% over Donald Trump.
Once in DC, it would not be unusual for him to join “The Squad,” the group of progressive congresswomen led by Ocasio Cortez and Ilhan Omar, Ayanna Pressley, Rashida Tlaib, Jamaal Bowman, and Cori Bush.
“Today’s election is proof that Central Florida’s working families want representation that has the courage to ask for more. I share this victory with the nurses, forklift drivers, teachers, caregivers, social workers, farmers, union organizers, cashiers and other members of this vibrant community who supported this campaign,” Frost said in his victory speech after the primary.
His candidacy has already been endorsed by socialist figures such as Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren, which, coupled with his proposals, suggests that Maxwell Alejandro Frost will be one of the most progressive members of the new Congress come January 2023.
Joaquín Núñez es licenciado en comunicación periodística por la Universidad Católica Argentina. Se especializa en el escenario internacional y en la política nacional norteamericana. Confeso hincha de Racing Club de Avellaneda. Contacto: [email protected] // Joaquín Núñez has a degree in journalistic communication from the Universidad Católica Argentina. He specializes in the international scene and national American politics. Confessed fan of Racing Club of Avellaneda. Contact: [email protected]