AOC considers 2028 presidential or Senate run

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., said Sunday she hasn’t ruled out running for president or the U.S. Senate in 2028. In an interview with NBC News, the progressive lawmaker said she is focused on her current role but left the door open to higher office. “I’m not making any decisions now,” she told the network. “But I’m never going to say never.”

The comments come as Democrats face pressure to energize the party’s progressive base ahead of the next election cycle. Ocasio-Cortez, 34, remains a high-profile figure in the party, especially among younger and more left-leaning voters. Her name has frequently been mentioned as a potential future presidential contender since her 2018 primary upset over incumbent Rep. Joe Crowley. A Senate run would likely require her to challenge a sitting incumbent or retiree in a state like New York or Massachusetts, where she has strong grassroots support.

Ocasio-Cortez has been a vocal critic of President Biden on issues like Israel-Gaza policy and student debt relief, while still backing his reelection bid. Her willingness to keep options open signals that the party’s progressive wing is not backing down from debates over the country’s direction. Allies say she remains one of the most effective communicators for progressive causes, while critics argue she lacks the legislative record to support a presidential bid.

If she did run, Ocasio-Cortez would join a crowded field of potential Democratic candidates in 2028, including Vice President Kamala Harris, Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, and California Gov. Gavin Newsom. Her 2028 ambitions would depend on how the party evolves over the next two years—whether it shifts left or pivots to a more centrist approach. For now, her statement keeps the speculation alive but gives her time to focus on her current role in Congress.