Democratic National Committee (DNC) Chairman Tom Perez said Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez represents the "future of our party" on Tuesday. 

"I have three kids. Two of them are daughters — one just graduated college, one who is in college. And they were both texting me about their excitement over Alexandria because she really — she represents the future of our party," Perez said on "The Bill Press Show."

Ocasio-Cortez, a 28-year-old self-proclaimed democratic socialist and organizer with Sen. Bernie Sanders's (I-Vt.) presidential campaign, rose to fame after defeating incumbent Rep. Joseph Crowley (D) in a stunning primary upset last week. 

Crowley was the No. 4 House Democrat and seen as a potential Speaker.

Perez on Tuesday added that he had "great respect" for Crowley, calling him a "good Democrat" who "fought the good fight."

Ocasio-Cortez ran on a progressive platform that included calls to abolish Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).