A group of progressive organizers is preparing for a possible 2028 presidential campaign by Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, though she has not said whether she plans to run.
Operating under the Ready for 2028 PAC, the effort says it aims to recruit more than 10,000 volunteers and secure support from union leaders and local activists. Spokesman Ravi Sahai said the group wants to build a grassroots network in case Ocasio-Cortez enters the race, while also showing her that supporters are ready to help.
Ocasio-Cortez became a prominent Democratic figure after her 2018 election. Since then, she has developed a strong fundraising operation and a high profile in the media, while advocating for a more progressive direction for the party.
The group’s website asks visitors to pledge their support for her in 2028 and praises her work in Congress. It argues that choosing what it calls the “lesser of two evils” would not produce the decisive victory the country needs, and says Ocasio-Cortez could.
Contributions to Ready for AOC are processed through ActBlue, a major payment platform used by Democratic campaigns and organizations.
The Federal Election Commission raised concerns about the group’s name before its public launch. The parent political action committee initially registered as Ready for AOC, but the commission said the name used a federal candidate’s name without appearing to be authorized by that candidate. The group later changed its name to Ready for 2028.
It remains unclear whether Ocasio-Cortez has any involvement with the effort. She has said she is considering her options privately and does not expect to discuss them publicly for a while. Neither she nor the group had immediately commented on the campaign effort.
