ABSTRACT
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez has departed from traditional public relations strategies used by politicians, much to the chagrin of her colleagues. Political commentators, politicians, and scholars may be surprised in part, because research has shown that social media in political contexts is best used to mobilize and activate publics. Yet, AOC is taking a different approach in her social media strategy, using social media to build relationships and community. In this chapter, we argue that AOC centers influencer strategies in her public relations approach with citizens. In doing so, she builds a close relationship with her followers/constituents, creating an active and engaged fan base. We discuss implications of AOC’s strategy for public relations practitioners, politicians, and democracy.
