AOC Quietly Positions Herself for a Major 2028 Run — Presidential or Senate

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez is beginning to map out her political future, and those familiar with the discussions say she is preparing for the possibility of a major 2028 campaign — either for the White House or for the U.S. Senate.

The New York Democrat, now 35, has long been viewed as one of the party’s most influential progressive figures. Her next move could dramatically reshape the ideological direction of the Democratic Party and potentially set up a high-stakes confrontation with Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, who is up for re-election that same year.

Expanding Her Reach Beyond the Bronx and Queens

While Ocasio-Cortez has not made a final decision, her recent activity suggests she is intentionally building political capital well beyond her House district. Over the past year, she has increased her national travel, appeared at major progressive events, and spent heavily on digital infrastructure — moves typically associated with early-stage presidential or statewide campaign preparation.

According to aides and strategists familiar with her operation, Ocasio-Cortez has brought on several former senior advisers from Sen. Bernie Sanders’ presidential campaigns. Their involvement signals a more ambitious vision than simply holding onto a safe House seat.

Her team, they say, is working to ensure she has multiple pathways available in 2028.

A Potential Showdown With Schumer

If she chooses to run for Senate, Ocasio-Cortez would be challenging the most senior Democrat in Congress. Schumer, 74, has led Senate Democrats since 2017 and remains a powerful fixture in Washington. But inside the Democratic base, his standing has weakened, while Ocasio-Cortez’s star power continues to rise.

Recent polling from Data for Progress showed Ocasio-Cortez beating Schumer by a stunning 19 points in a hypothetical 2028 primary — a margin that reveals a generational and ideological shift among voters the party relies on.

Schumer still holds institutional power, but the numbers suggest he could face the toughest primary of his career if Ocasio-Cortez decides to run statewide.

Building a Statewide Profile

This year, Ocasio-Cortez has also made notable inroads into Upstate New York — traditionally far outside her political base. She held a series of town halls across the region, including an event in Plattsburgh where she emphasized a message of statewide inclusion.

“Every part of New York matters,” she told attendees. “No community deserves to be ignored.”

Such events function not only as listening tours but as early outreach to voters she would need in a Senate race. They also signal she is aware that her national profile alone is not enough to win a statewide contest — especially in regions that lean more moderate.

National Presence and Online Dominance

Perhaps her greatest asset is her digital footprint. Ocasio-Cortez has amassed 36.7 million followers across major social platforms, a reach that dwarfs Schumer and rivals early-stage presidential contenders. That online base fuels small-dollar donations — a centerpiece of her political model.

This year alone, she has invested millions in digital advertising, outperforming nearly every other elected official in terms of online spending. According to Kyle Tharp, a journalist who tracks digital campaign strategy, her team’s emphasis on online mobilization has already produced “hundreds of thousands of new grassroots donors.”

Her presence on Instagram, TikTok, X, Facebook, and Bluesky has exploded, giving her an unmatched ability to shape news cycles and speak directly to younger voters — a demographic Democrats desperately need to energize in 2028.

Sanders Allies See Her as the Natural Successor

For years, Ocasio-Cortez has been viewed as the ideological heir to Bernie Sanders. His former aides say she inherits the infrastructure he built while also appealing to demographics Sanders struggled to reach — particularly young women, voters of color, and urban professionals.

Ari Rabin-Havt, a longtime Sanders strategist, told Axios that dismissing her chances would be “the height of arrogance,” arguing she already possesses much of the national exposure and message discipline that candidates spend years trying to achieve.

Some progressive strategists say that even if she views the presidency as a long shot, she might still enter the race to ensure that her movement — and its policy vision — has a clear voice in the Democratic primary.

A Political Force Still Rising

Ocasio-Cortez’s rapid ascent remains one of the most remarkable in modern politics. After defeating a powerful Democratic incumbent in 2018, she became a central figure in national debates over climate, health care, and immigration. Her exchanges with Trump officials during congressional hearings helped cement her as a leading voice of her party’s left wing.

Now, with new national alliances, millions in grassroots fundraising, and expanding statewide outreach, she appears poised for the next stage of her career.

Whether that means taking on Schumer or launching a presidential campaign, one thing is clear:
AOC is preparing for something far bigger than a House seat — and her decision could redefine the Democratic Party’s future.