NYC Democratic Socialists Push for Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez 2028 Presidential Bid

The New York City chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) has voted to urge Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez to run for President of the United States in 2028. This move, which passed with a vote of 291 to 123 at a Saturday convention, may serve as an early indicator of the Democratic Party's trajectory for the upcoming presidential race.

While the resolution is not a formal endorsement, it commits the New York City chapter to building the necessary groundwork and encouraging a potential campaign. Gustavo Gordillo, co-chair of the NYC-DSA, told Al Jazeera that if the US can elect Donald Trump, Democratic Socialists could also be elected.

The convention followed a successful period for DSA-endorsed candidates in the midterm elections, with a record eight candidates securing federal office and congressional seats. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, often referred to as AOC, is a longtime member of the NYC-DSA, which has approximately 15,000 members and has become one of the most influential branches of the movement. The chapter has backed Ocasio-Cortez in all five of her congressional general elections since 2018 and endorsed Mayor Zohran Mamdani last year.

Grace Mausser, another NYC-DSA co-chair, emphasized the chapter's growing political power, stating that they are now one of the biggest political actors in the city, state, and country. Ocasio-Cortez, who represents New York’s 14th congressional district, first gained national prominence in 2018 after defeating a 10-term incumbent in a primary. She has consistently advocated for labor protections, tuition-free public college, and universal healthcare.

The chapter is still finalizing a national presidential platform, which Mausser says will be based on issues like childcare, healthcare, and housing. The resolution further identifies priorities such as stopping the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency, public housing, labor organizing, and the anti-war and pro-Palestine movements.

This vote adds to existing efforts from the left, including an independent campaign called ‘Ready for AOC‘ and debates within the national DSA, to persuade Ocasio-Cortez to run in 2028. Ocasio-Cortez has stated she will decide her political future after the midterm elections, leaving open the possibility of a presidential bid or a run for a US Senate seat.