Bernie Sanders, 28-year-old activist who worked in the campaign of former presidential candidate has ousted a top House Democrat, Joe Crowley in New York primary elections, an upset, which observers say could force the opposition party to confront their own internal divisions.

Crowley, the Number 4 House Democrat and until Tuesday considered a possible candidate to replace Nancy Pelosi as leader, becomes the first Democratic incumbent to fall this primary season. He was beaten by underfunded challenger Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, who caught fire with the party's left wing.

Crowley's loss echoed across the political world, sending the message that divisions between the Democratic Party's pragmatic and more liberal wings may be widening heading into the high-stakes November midterm elections.

It also exposed a generational divide among Democrats still struggling with their identity in the era of Republic President Donald Trump.

Born in New York's Bronx area to a mother from Puerto Rico and a father who died in 2008, she said she knew she could connect with the district, which includes Queens and part of the Bronx.