Sanders and Ocasio-Cortez Take ‘Fighting Oligarchy’ Tour West, Targeting Vulnerable GOP Districts

Written from press release

TUCSON, Ariz. – Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) are bringing their “Fighting Oligarchy: Where We Go From Here” tour to the West this week, aiming to rally opposition to GOP-led economic policies and challenge what they call the rise of authoritarianism in America.

The tour, which kicks off March 20 in Las Vegas, will feature Representatives Greg Casar (D-Texas) and Steven Horsford (D-Nevada) in select appearances as it moves through Arizona, Colorado, and Nevada. The campaign is designed to pressure Republicans in narrowly won districts to oppose cuts to Medicaid, housing, education, and other social services, which Sanders and Ocasio-Cortez argue are being sacrificed for tax breaks for the wealthy.

Challenging Corporate Influence and Billionaire Rule

Sanders, a longtime advocate for progressive policies, is using the tour to highlight what he sees as the increasing control of American politics by billionaires and corporate interests.

“Today, the oligarchs and the billionaire class are getting richer and richer and have more and more power. Meanwhile, 60% of Americans live paycheck to paycheck and most of our people are struggling to pay for health care, childcare, and housing,” Sanders said in a statement. “This country belongs to all of us, not just the few. We must fight back.”

Ocasio-Cortez echoed the urgency of the movement, condemning Republican efforts to reduce social safety nets.

“While Republicans try to gut Medicaid, Medicare, and Social Security to pay for tax cuts for billionaires, people across the country are standing up against these attacks on the working class,” she said. “They deserve representation that is willing to stand with them.”

A Growing Political Movement

The tour has already seen overflow crowds in cities like Omaha, Iowa City, and Kenosha, with more than 15,000 people attending previous town halls and over 4 million watching livestreams. The events serve as both a call to action and a test of progressive momentum ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.

At each stop, Sanders and Ocasio-Cortez plan to outline their vision for an economic system that prioritizes working families over corporate profits, while also addressing growing concerns over political power concentrated among the ultra-wealthy—including figures like Elon Musk and former President Donald Trump.

Event Details for the Tour’s Western Swing

• Las Vegas, March 20 (1:00 p.m. PDT): East Las Vegas Community Center
• Tempe, March 20 (6:00 p.m. MST): Mullett Arena, Arizona State University
• Greeley, March 21 (1:00 p.m. MDT): Bank of Colorado Arena, University of Northern Colorado
• Denver, March 21 (5:00 p.m. MDT): Civic Center Park
• Tucson, March 22 (11:30 a.m. MST): Catalina High School

A Showdown Over Economic Policy

The tour comes at a time when congressional Republicans are weighing deep spending cuts while advocating for further tax breaks for corporations and the wealthiest Americans. The Sanders-led effort puts direct pressure on moderate and swing-district Republicans, particularly those who won in tight 2024 races.

While progressives argue that their policies are popular among voters, critics say their agenda amounts to government overreach and unsustainable spending. With Congress set to debate federal funding and tax policies in the coming months, the battle over economic priorities is far from over.

For Sanders and Ocasio-Cortez, however, the message is clear: Americans should have a say in shaping an economy that works for everyone—not just the wealthiest few.