Progressive New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez is reportedly weighing a run for higher office in 2028 — with both a potential presidential campaign and a challenge for the U.S. Senate on the table.
According to a report published Friday by Axios, sources familiar with Ocasio-Cortez’s political operation say the congresswoman and her team are exploring future opportunities as she expands her national profile.
At 35, Ocasio-Cortez would meet the constitutional age requirement to run for president in 2028. Her consideration of a White House bid comes amid her ongoing efforts to build grassroots support and broaden her donor network. She has spent millions this year growing her social media presence and compiling lists of potential supporters.
While no final decision has been made, her team reportedly wants to ensure she is well-positioned to choose between a Senate run or a presidential campaign.
Ocasio-Cortez has recently been traveling with Sen. Bernie Sanders on his national “Fighting Oligarchy” tour and holding town halls across upstate New York — steps seen as part of a larger effort to raise her statewide and national visibility. Some allies believe she may enter the presidential race even if victory seems unlikely, in order to ensure progressive representation in the Democratic primary, much like Sanders did in 2016.
If she decides to seek a Senate seat, she would likely face Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer in a primary — though it remains unclear whether Schumer plans to run for re-election in 2028. He won his fifth term in 2022 with little opposition.
Aides and allies close to Ocasio-Cortez suggest her candidacy should not be underestimated.
“It’s the height of arrogance to assume she couldn’t win the 2028 nomination,” Sanders adviser Ari Rabin-Havt told Axios. “She has a supporter base that, in many ways, has a larger potential width than Bernie’s.”
Since her surprise 2018 victory over longtime incumbent Joe Crowley, Ocasio-Cortez has championed progressive causes including Medicare for All, the Green New Deal, and comprehensive immigration reform. She has also remained outspoken on U.S. foreign policy, including criticism of Israel’s actions in Gaza, and has not hesitated to challenge Democratic leadership when their positions diverge from the party’s left flank.
Representing parts of Queens and the Bronx, Ocasio-Cortez remains a high-profile figure within the Democratic Party and could play a significant role in shaping its direction in 2028 — whether as a candidate or kingmaker.
