Following a significant Democratic midterm victory, progressive activists are stepping up efforts to recruit Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez for a 2028 presidential campaign. The sentiment among some within the left wing of the party is that recent electoral successes have created a more favorable environment for an anti-establishment candidate.
Adam Green, co-founder of the Progressive Change Campaign Committee, suggested that the midterm results have "made the waters a lot warmer for AOC to run," pointing to the success of anti-establishment figures in presidential battleground states. This sentiment is being amplified by a newly formed hybrid PAC, "Ready for AOC," which is actively circulating a petition advocating for the congresswoman's potential presidential candidacy.
The group's petition highlights Ocasio-Cortez's popularity and argues she is uniquely positioned to unite different factions of the Democratic Party. "AOC is one of the most popular politicians in the country, and is uniquely positioned to cohere a coalition of the center and left while running as an anti-establishment working-class populist," the petition states.
Ocasio-Cortez's campaign team has also indicated her broad appeal, sharing a memo suggesting her reach extends beyond traditional Democratic strongholds. The memo noted her significant small-dollar fundraising capabilities, which rivals those of Senator Bernie Sanders. Allies are reportedly working to position her for a 2028 run.
"Rep. Ocasio-Cortez will continue to do what she’s always done: look for ways to do the most good for the most people," the memo stated. "But, over the course of the last two years, she has proven herself to be one of the most effective voices in the country for America’s working class."
The congresswoman has actively supported progressive candidates, including Michigan Senator-elect Abdul El-Sayed, and has donated to their campaigns. Ocasio-Cortez has cited El-Sayed's victory as evidence that progressive candidates can succeed in competitive races, suggesting a potential "paradigm shift in US politics."
However, a presidential run carries significant risks. Ocasio-Cortez has acknowledged that such a bid could be an "all or nothing" situation, potentially leaving her without a congressional seat if unsuccessful. An alternative path could involve a run for the Senate in New York, where she might challenge Majority Leader Chuck Schumer in a Democratic primary.
Ocasio-Cortez has reportedly been waiting until after the midterms to finalize her plans for 2028. She has also been observed engaging with more moderate Democrats during the 2026 midterms, aiming to demonstrate her ability to appeal to a wider range of voters.
Despite these efforts, some progressives have expressed skepticism about her outreach to the Democratic establishment, leading to discussions about other potential contenders like Representative Ro Khanna. Currently, Ocasio-Cortez is polling at 11.8% among potential 2028 Democratic presidential candidates, according to a RealClearPolitics aggregate, placing her behind Kamala Harris, Gavin Newsom, and Pete Buttigieg.