Alexandria Ocasio-cortez and Ro Khanna Take Sharply Different Paths

The race to succeed Bernie Sanders as the progressive movement's leader is intensifying ahead of Michigan's pivotal Senate primary, with Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Ro Khanna taking sharply different paths. Sanders' inner circle largely views Ocasio-Cortez as the clear heir, though Khanna's allies argue she plays it too safe.

Both have backed Abdul El-Sayed in Tuesday's primary, but only Ocasio-Cortez has campaigned alongside Sanders, featuring in his closing ads. Khanna, a former Sanders 2020 co-chair, dismissed the idea of a single successor, saying he'll decide on a presidential run around Thanksgiving. Sanders, 84, and Ocasio-Cortez, 36, share close advisers, including her chief of staff Mike Casca and Sanders adviser Faiz Shakir.

Sanders urged focus on current issues, noting the next presidential election is over two years away. It's always been clear that AOC is the heir, said one Sanders ally.