Democratic Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez said on Sunday she has not ruled out running for president in 2028 to succeed Republican President Donald Trump.
Ocasio-Cortez, a 36-year-old lawmaker of Puerto Rican origin, made the comments during an interview with the ABC network after a University of New Hampshire poll named her the favorite in the Democratic presidential primary. She represents a New York district in the House of Representatives.
She said she has not ruled out the possibility and feels very honored by the massive support she receives. However, she stated that she is currently focused on winning re-election to her New York seat in the midterm elections on November 3.
Primary Polls and Senate Ambitions
The University of New Hampshire poll places Ocasio-Cortez at the top of the Democratic presidential primary field with 22 percent support. Former Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg follows in second place with 21 percent, while California Governor Gavin Newsom holds 15 percent.
During the television interview, Ocasio-Cortez also did not rule out competing in the Democratic primaries against Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer for his New York Senate seat in 2028.
She said the recent primary victory of Abdul El-Sayed demonstrates that the Democratic Party is experiencing a generational renewal. El-Sayed, a Muslim politician on the left wing of the party, won Tuesday's primary for a Senate seat in Michigan despite criticism from Trump and Republicans, who said Democrats are embracing communism.
Party Factions and Republican Contenders
Ocasio-Cortez, a prominent figure in the party's left wing, is considered a political heir to Senator Bernie Sanders, a former contender for the Democratic presidential nomination. She also maintains a close political relationship with New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani, who is connected to the democratic socialist faction of the party.
On the Republican side, Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio are the favorites to succeed Trump, who cannot run for a third term.
