In the landscape of American politics, Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders and New York Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (AOC) have emerged as influential figures among Democratic voters, despite wielding less formal power than establishment leaders like Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer [1][2][3].

According to a recent survey by the AP-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research, Sanders enjoys a 'somewhat' or 'very' favorable view among about three-quarters of Democrats. Ocasio-Cortez follows with approximately half of Democrats viewing her favorably. In contrast, Schumer, an establishment Democrat, is viewed favorably by only about a third of Democrats [3][4][5].

The difference in favorability ratings between Sanders and Ocasio-Cortez is largely attributed to a segment of voters who reported not knowing enough about AOC to form an opinion. Both politicians share similar unfavorable ratings among Democrats, hovering around 15% [3][4][5].

The alliance between Sanders, 83, and Ocasio-Cortez, 35, has evolved significantly over the past decade. Ocasio-Cortez began as an anonymous volunteer for Sanders' campaign and has since risen to become one of the most prominent progressive voices in American politics [1][3][6].

Their political relationship has often been described in familial terms, with Ocasio-Cortez previously referring to Sanders as 'Tio Bernie,' Spanish for 'Uncle Bernie' [1]. This close alliance has positioned Ocasio-Cortez as a potential successor to Sanders' progressive movement [3][6].

However, their prominence and policy positions have not been without controversy. President Donald Trump and Republicans have frequently used Ocasio-Cortez as a political foil. Additionally, some Democrats, both progressive and moderate, have criticized Sanders and Ocasio-Cortez for being disruptive and advocating for what they consider unrealistic policy ideas [1].

As the political landscape continues to evolve, the enduring popularity of Sanders and Ocasio-Cortez among Democratic voters underscores the significant influence of progressive voices within the party, even as they navigate the challenges of translating that support into legislative power [2][3][4].