Speculation Surrounds Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s 2028 Plans

There’s a lot of talk about Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s potential ambitions for 2028. Many seem to believe that members of the so-called “squad” are gearing up to pursue her House seat, whether that leads them to the Senate or even the White House, especially after Zoran Mamdani’s stunning defeat of New York Governor Andrew Cuomo on Tuesday night.

“It opens up more avenues,” noted Corbin Trent, a former spokesperson for Ocasio-Cortez. He mentioned that the recent events “broadens her horizons.”

The 35-year-old representative from the Bronx and Queens is perhaps one of the most recognizable Democrats to have endorsed Mamdani, 33, when he was largely seen as the underdog in the race.

Cuomo, a three-time governor, had backing from prominent figures like South Carolina Rep. Jim Clyburn and former President Bill Clinton, yet he found himself trailing Mamdani by seven points in the ranked choice voting.

“You can always count on her being underestimated, that’s a given,” Trent commented regarding Ocasio-Cortez.

Mamdani’s unexpected win “provides Ocasio-Cortez with a national spotlight and signals she’s supporting the right candidate,” he added.

Other Democrats in the know seem to agree that Ocasio-Cortez’s success could be seen as a validation that her grassroots, progressive approach could carry weight in the upcoming presidential election.

However, there is a cautionary note that Cuomo’s loss stemmed from his own tarnished reputation.

“He had a flawed brand, a consulting class, and a troublesome track record,” voiced one Democratic operative. “There’s just nothing appealing about that.”

Nearly seven years ago, Ocasio-Cortez experienced a breakthrough herself, defeating former House Democratic Speaker Joe Crowley in the 2018 primary.

The lingering question is whether she will aim for the Senate seat currently held by Chuck Schumer or perhaps set her sights on the presidency just a decade after her remarkable climb from bartender to congresswoman.

A Democratic operative shared with the Post that Ocasio-Cortez is likely to challenge Schumer in the 2028 primary.

On the other hand, there’s speculation that her national outreach, similar to her recent campaign events alongside socialist Bernie Sanders, may take precedence over a primary challenge. “Polls suggest she could win against Schumer, and we’re likely to see them rallying across upstate New York,” one insider remarked.

“People are aware of their struggles, and conveying that message could really resonate,” they added.

Another Democratic aide hinted that Mamdani’s victory may bolster Ocasio-Cortez’s status as a serious contender for the party’s presidential nod in 2028.

Conversely, the Democratic Socialist triumph has also invigorated Republican conversations around issues like government-operated grocery stores, complicating dynamics for Democrats until mid-2026, a fourth party insider cautioned.

After Cuomo conceded to Mamdani, the odds for Ocasio-Cortez’s Democratic nomination in 2028 significantly increased.

The Democratic primary landscape appears to be rather chaotic, with the party struggling to regain its footing post-2024.

“Democrats should stop dawdling and start positioning AOC as the 2028 candidate! Her foreign policy insights and legislative wins are numerous, and she speaks effectively for Democratic leadership,” one advocate argued.

Should she run and win the presidency, Ocasio-Cortez would make history as the youngest and first woman to hold that office in the US.

It’s feasible that she may also decide to challenge Schumer in 2028, especially after the fifth-term senator faced backlash in March for dismissing a GOP effort to avert government shutdowns.

Ocasio-Cortez was among those vocal during the shutdown negotiations. If she were to run against Schumer, surveys have indicated she might hold an advantage.

She opted not to oppose Schumer in 2022, and he has yet to clarify whether he’ll seek re-election in 2028.

While Schumer praised Mamdani’s victory, he seems preoccupied with his own upcoming election against Mayor Eric Adams, who is running as an independent.

Many top Republicans in New York believe a clash between Schumer and Ocasio-Cortez is inevitable.

“Ocasio-Cortez comes out of this as the notable winner tonight,” stated Rep. Mike Lawler (R-NY), referencing the election results.

In conclusion, while Mamdani’s win might not drastically shift Ocasio-Cortez’s decision-making for 2028, Trent likened her communication skills to “Michael Jordan” in their effectiveness.

“That’s undeniable,” he remarked about her ability to connect with voters.