Two Pardee School Alumnae Win Congressional Seats in 2024
Two graduates of the Frederick S. Pardee School of Global Studies won their Congressional races in the 2024 election.
Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (Pardee’11) secured her fourth term representing New York’s 14th District. A double major at Boston University in Economics and International Relations, she made history in 2018 as the youngest woman ever elected to Congress at age 29. She serves on the House Financial Services and Oversight Committees and has been a key architect of Green New Deal legislation while becoming a leading voice on climate policy and international affairs.
Representative Jen Kiggans (Pardee’93), a geriatric nurse practitioner and former Navy helicopter pilot, won a second term in Virginia’s 2nd District. Prior to joining Congress in 2022, she served in Virginia’s state senate while maintaining her medical practice. “It is the honor of a lifetime to be chosen to represent #VA02 in Congress again,” Kiggans stated after her victory.
“Thank you to the people of the Bronx and Queens for reelecting me to another term in Congress,” said Ocasio-Cortez. “As a waitress, I never thought serving in Congress would ever be a reality. It will always remain the honor of my life to serve our community.”
They join fellow BU alumni Representative Lois Frankel (CAS’70) of Florida’s 22nd District and Representative Ayanna Pressley (Hon.’21) of Massachusetts’ 7th Congressional District in returning to Congress.