...
By Andrew Stanton
Reporter
0
Share
Newsweek is a Trust Project member
See more of our trusted coverage when you search.Prefer Newsweek on Googleto see more of our trusted coverage when you search.
Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, a New York Democrat, could be among the top contenders if she runs for Senate or even the White House in 2028, according to recent polls.
Newsweek reached out to Ocasio-Cortez's office for comment via email.
Why It Matters
Ocasio-Cortez, a self described Democratic Socialist, is one of the top figures on the left. The Democratic Party is struggling to find an identity after a number of losses in the 2024 elections. A number of polls have shown that some Democrats believe the party abandoned its base and that was a key reason for former Vice President Kamala Harris' loss to President Donald Trump last November. Ocasio-Cortez is often viewed as a candidate who could activate key voter groups such as younger, progressive voters who may otherwise sit out of the election.
Read More on News
Critics outside and inside the Democratic Party say her full embrace of progressive policies could alienate moderate voters, who are often viewed as crucial to presidential races.
The progressive firebrand could also be a serious challenger to incumbent Democratic Senator Chuck Schumer, the Senate Minority Leader, whose approach to the Trump administration has garnered backlash from some of the party's voters.
On Friday, Axios reported, citing "people familiar with her operation," that Ocasio-Cortez is considering a presidential or Senate run in 2028 but has not made a firm decision about her future at this point.
...
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez's Polling in 2028 Presidential Race
Polls suggest that Ocasio-Cortez would be among a handful of top Democratic contenders in the presidential race if she chooses to run. Former Vice President Kamala Harris, California Governor Gavin Newsom and former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg are also potential candidates who have polled well.
The latest YouGov poll found her placing third in a hypothetical Democratic primary.
Newsom led the pack with 23 percent, followed by Harris at 19 percent. Eight percent said they planned to back Ocasio-Cortez, while six percent said they would support Buttigieg.
That poll surveyed 1,114 adults from September 5 to September 8.
A Leger poll from last month found Harris leading the Democratic field at 30 percent, while Newsom had support from 24 percent of respondents. Ten percent said they would back Ocasio-Cortez and 8 percent intended to cast their ballots for Buttigieg. It surveyed 328 Democratic primary voters from August 29 to August 31.
Meanwhile, an Emerson College poll found Ocasio-Cortez with only 4 percent backing, compared to Newsom's 25 percent, Buttigieg's 16 percent and Harris' 11 percent. It surveyed 387 Democrats from August 25 to August 26.
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez's Polling in New York Senate Race
One recent poll suggested Ocasio-Cortez could have a lead over Schumer in a bid for Senate. Schumer has not said whether or not he plans to run for a sixth-Senate term.
The Data for Progress survey of 767 likely Democratic voters found that 55 percent supported Ocasio-Cortez, while 36 percent backed Schumer. Nine percent said they were unsure of how they would vote. That poll took place from March 26 to March 31.
Meanwhile, a Honan Strategy Group of New York City Democrats found Ocasio leading 54 percent to 33 percent against Schumer. It surveyed 1,136 Democrats living in New York City from May 15 to May 18 and had a margin of error of plus or minus 2.89 percentage points.
Ocasio-Cortez quickly became a national figure after her 2018 primary victory against former Representative Joe Crowley and has become a champion of progressive causes including Medicare for All and the Green New Deal. She supported Senator Bernie Sanders in the 2020 Democratic primary.
What People Are Saying
Meghan McCain wrote in an April post to X: ""She's going to run and her message of economic populism is more powerful than people are giving her credit for."
Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez at a Las Vegas rally in March: "This isn't just about Republicans. We need a Democratic Party that fights harder for us, too. But what that means is that we as a community must choose and vote for Democrats and elected officials who know how to stand up for the working class."
Sanders staffer Ari Rabin-Havt told Axios: "She has a supporter base that, in many ways, has a larger potential width than Bernie's. She has been in the glare of the spotlight from day one and has the national campaigning experience a lot of other potential candidates are now trying to get."
What Happens Next
Candidates typically don't begin announcing presidential runs until after the midterms, and Ocasio-Cortez has not made public comments indicating what she may do in 2028.
View 0 Comments
Submit Correction
View Editorial & AI Guidelines