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U.S. Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez is reportedly considering a potential run for president in 2028.
The speculation arises from increasing interest among Democratic strategists, who see the New York congresswoman as a dynamic figure with the ability to mobilize young voters, The Hill reported this week.
Renowned for her direct connection with constituents through social media and unfiltered communication, Ocasio-Cortez has gained a reputation for breaking away from traditional political norms to engage with diverse audiences.
In a recent video, Ocasio-Cortez warned that President Trump’s leadership could usher in an era of authoritarianism and fascism across America, a typical claim from the far left as though Trump could somehow evade the system of checks and balances on the Executive Branch contained in the Constitution.
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NEW: Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez could run for president in 2028 according to The Hill.
One Democrat strategist said their party is impressed with AOC’s ability to “cut through the BS and tell it like it is.”
“She’s somebody who can cut through the noise and doesn’t talk like… pic.twitter.com/3jvri2tinC
— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) November 29, 2024
“She’s somebody who can cut through the noise and doesn’t talk like Washington,” one Democratic strategist told The Hill, adding that her straightforward communication style resonates particularly well with younger demographics.
Supporters of Ocasio-Cortez contend that her expertise in leveraging platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and podcasts positions her as a strong contender, particularly as voter outreach continues to move toward digital spaces. At 39 years old in 2028, Ocasio-Cortez would meet the constitutional age requirement to run for the presidency.
Still, some Democrats say she still represents a more leftist wing of the party to some voters, something that could hurt her if she pursues higher office.
“She and the ‘squad’ started pushing too hard, too fast,” a Democratic strategist told The Hill. “D.C. doesn’t work that way. And our party doesn’t work that way. We need to get back to the basics.”
A former adviser to President Bill Clinton, Doug Schoen, said it would be a “disaster” if the party nominated her.
“I believe the Democratic Party needs to move to the center on cultural issues and on fiscal issues, and be more fiscally disciplined and AOC represents the opposite,” said Schoen, who is a Democrat pollster and strategist, during a Friday appearance on Fox News’ The Ingraham Angle.
“I think if she runs, it would be a disaster for the party, and I think her chance of getting nominated would be nil,” he added.
Schoen’s comments come after the speculation that AOC, as she’s known, could emerge as a potential Democratic candidate for the 2028 presidential election. However, with fellow Squad members Reps. Cori Bush (D-MO) and Jamaal Bowman (D-NY) losing their primary elections, Schoen argued that voters are rejecting the far-left progressive agenda championed by the Bronx native.
Monica Crowley, former Trump assistant treasury secretary, said on ‘The Ingraham Angle’ that AOC shouldn’t be dismissed out of hand.
“Just a word of warning to the Republicans, to my party, do not underestimate AOC,” Crowley said on Friday. “She’s young, she’s vibrant, she’s attractive. I think she’s wrong on everything, but she does have real grassroots support, and all of the energy and activism in the Democrat Party remains with the revolutionary left of which she is a part.”
Vice President Kamala Harris, meanwhile, has allegedly told associates she was “staying in the fight” and considering a 2028 presidential campaign or a California gubernatorial run in 2026, prompting Democratic strategist Theryn Bond to urge Harris not to run for president again.
During an interview on Newsmax’s National Report, Bond said “please don’t” when asked if Harris should make another White House bid.
“Not to run for president again in 2028, please don’t. I can’t really speak for governor of California. Californians seem to support her significantly. We haven’t yet been able to measure what that support looks like after this current run she just had,” Bond told Newsmax.
“That may be the only thing that she — I guess, may make sense for her to consider. But another shot at the presidency, I hope she doesn’t. And if she is relying on those same advisers that advised her this cycle, that’s not who I would listen to,” Bond added.