Ocasio-Cortez and her liberal blessing sought by 2020 Democrats

Ocasio-Cortez, in an interview, made it clear that they and others seeking a more exclusive endorsement will have to wait until next year.

“For me it always comes down to the policies and the initiatives,” added the first-term lawmaker, who said she’s particularly impressed by Sanders and Warren among the presidential contenders.

But she insisted she’s open to others, and she praised former Housing and Urban Development Secretary Julian Castro after he said at last month’s Democratic debate that he wants to end criminal penalties for unauthorized migration across the southern U.S. border.

Sanders doesn’t necessarily have the inside track for Ocasio-Cortez’s endorsement, Ocasio-Cortez said, even though she volunteered for his 2016 campaign and has made more policy proposals with him this year than any other White House contender.