Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez's National Favorability Dips, Yet She Leads in Key Early Primary State

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) is facing a national decline in favorability ratings, with only 28% of voters aged 18-34 viewing her favorably, according to a CNN/SSRS poll. Her support among politically crucial independents stands at 22%.

The poll indicates an overall favorability rating of 26% for the New York congresswoman, with 36% holding an unfavorable view, leaving her "underwater" by 10 points. This marks a slight decrease from January, when her favorable rating was 27% and unfavorable was 32%.

Nationally, Ocasio-Cortez's favorable rating of 26% trails both the Republican Party (31%) and the Democratic Party (30%). Her numbers are also lower than those of former Vice President Kamala Harris, who polled at 26% in a separate Morning Consult poll, and California Governor Gavin Newsom at 20%.

Despite the national dip, Ocasio-Cortez shows strength in New Hampshire, an early presidential primary state. A University of New Hampshire poll places her at the top of the Democratic field with 22% support, an increase from previous polls in February and October 2025. Former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg followed with 21% support, and Sen. Mark Kelly garnered 9%.

Dante Scala, a professor of political science at the University of New Hampshire, described Ocasio-Cortez as a "brand" with high name recognition in the state, positioning her as a potential successor to Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.).

The Democratic Socialists of America (DSA), an organization with which Ocasio-Cortez is associated, has seen some electoral successes in states like New York and Colorado. However, its platform, which includes calls to abolish the Senate and defund the Pentagon, has faced pushback from within the Democratic Party.

Approximately one-third of Democrats and Democrat-leaners now identify as democratic socialists, according to the same CNN poll. The poll also revealed that Ocasio-Cortez receives 36% favorable support from white college graduates and 63% from liberals, but only 22% from independents and 56% from Democrats.

New Hampshire has historically played a significant role in the presidential nominating process, though the Democratic National Committee has proposed South Carolina to go first due to its more racially diverse electorate.

Ocasio-Cortez's political future remains a subject of speculation, with her potential to challenge Sen. Charles Schumer (D-NY) in 2028 being a discussed possibility.