Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) dismissed speculation about running for president in 2028 during a conversation with Democratic strategist David Axelrod at the University of Chicago's Institute of Politics on Friday night. She emphasized that her ambition is to change the country rather than pursue specific titles or positions, focusing on long-term policy goals like single-payer healthcare and workers' rights.
Key Takeaways
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) dismissed speculation about running for president in 2028 during a conversation at the University of Chicago's Institute of Politics on Friday night. She emphasized her focus on long-term policy goals like single-payer healthcare and workers' rights.
- AOC stated her ambition is to change the country rather than pursue specific titles or positions
- She mentioned potential runs for Senate if current Democratic minority leader Chuck Schumer decides not to seek another term
- A March poll by Daily Mail and JL Partners showed Ocasio-Cortez with 7% support among Democratic primary voters for a 2028 run
- Former Vice President Kamala Harris led the poll with 23%, followed by Gov. Gavin Newsom (Calif.) at 19%
- AOC recently faced an ethics complaint alleging misuse of campaign funds for personal psychiatric services
AOC has been mentioned among potential 2028 Democratic candidates alongside Gov. Gavin Newsom (Calif.), former Vice President Kamala Harris, and former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. However, Ocasio-Cortez stated her political ambitions are focused on 'meeting the moment' and addressing current conditions rather than seeking specific offices.
The congresswoman emphasized that she makes decisions based on what will move the country forward each day. She highlighted that no elite power can prevent her from serving the working class, regardless of her position. According to a Harvard CAPS/Harris poll taken in April, support among Democratic voters for Ocasio-Cortez as a potential presidential candidate stands at 9%.
AOC's remarks come amid early positioning within the Democratic Party for its 2028 presidential nomination. She has been vocal about economic and social inequalities, recently stating that billionaires cannot truly 'earn' a billion dollars without the work of others.
During her conversation with Axelrod, Ocasio-Cortez mentioned potential runs for Senate if current Democratic minority leader Chuck Schumer decides not to seek another term or if she chooses to face him in a primary. She also recounted a wishlist of socialist policies she would like to see implemented across the United States.
A March poll by Daily Mail and JL Partners showed Ocasio-Cortez with 7% support among Democratic primary voters for a 2028 run. Former Vice President Kamala Harris led the poll with 23%, followed by Gov. Gavin Newsom (Calif.) at 19%. The only other Democrat receiving double digits in the poll was former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, who registered 10% support.
AOC recently faced an ethics complaint alleging she used campaign funds to pay for ketamine therapy. The National Legal and Policy Center (NLPC), a conservative non-profit, submitted a complaint claiming Ocasio-Cortez spent more than $19,000 of campaign funds on sessions with psychiatrist Dr. Brian W. Boyle in 2025.
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