Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, a New York Democrat, has increasingly been discussed as a leading star within the Democratic Party, with some suggesting she could be a 2028 contender for the party’s presidential nomination.
While potential announcements for 2028 candidates are likely still a couple years off, a number of recent polls are already showing how voters are thinking about the upcoming primary—with Ocasio-Cortez emerging as one of the top few contenders.
Newsweek reached out to Ocasio-Cortez’s office for comment on Sunday morning.
Why It Matters
Democrats have largely struggled to respond to President Donald Trump and Republicans since their defeat in the 2024 election. Analysts and activists have consistently highlighted that the party appears leaderless, without a clear direction.
Ocasio-Cortez, however, has emerged as one of the Democrats many see to be pushing back in a way that resonates with the party’s base.
The congresswoman has also been holding massive rallies in several states alongside progressive Senator Bernie Sanders, a Vermont independent. With thousands turning out for these events, it suggests the progressive duo has a message that resonates with a significant constituency of voters.
What Recent Polls Show
A CNN poll carried out from March 6 to 9 showed that Ocasio-Cortez was the top politician among Democrats and Democratic-leaning independents when asked which “one person best reflects the core values” of the party.
The New York progressive was named by 10 percent of respondents. That was narrowly ahead of former Vice President Kamala Harris, who was named by 9 percent. Sanders came in third, with 8 percent. The survey included 1,206 U.S. adults with a margin of error of plus or minus 3.3 percent.
While Ocasio-Cortez may be seen as best at representing the party’s values, a poll carried out by Morning Consult from March 14 to 16 showed her in third place when respondents were asked about who they would support in 2028.
In that survey, Harris led the pack by a wide double-digit margin, with 36 percent support. In second was former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, who sought the party’s nomination in 2020, at 10 percent. Ocasio-Cortez had half of Buttigieg’s support, with 5 percent.
She was tied for third with Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, who was Harris’ 2024 running mate, and California Governor Gavin Newsom. Billionaire Mark Cuban came in just behind at 4 percent. The poll included 2,210 registered voters and had a margin of error of plus or minus 2 percentage points.
Another recent Echelon Insights poll conducted from March 10 to 13, with 457 likely voters, showed similar results. Harris was at 33 percent and Ocasio-Cortez was at 7 percent, tied with Newsom. Buttigieg was in second place at 10 percent. That poll surveyed 1,007 registered voters and had a margin of error of plus or minus 3.5 percentage points.
A poll by McLaughlin & Associates, carried out in late January among 414 likely voters, had Harris at 33 percent. Ocasio-Cortez was at 6 percent, behind Buttigieg at 9 percent and Newsom at 7 percent.
Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, a New York Democrat, speaks during a rally on March 21 at Civic Center Park in Denver.
Chet Strange/Getty Images
What People Are Saying
Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez at a Las Vegas rally on Thursday: “This isn’t just about Republicans. We need a Democratic Party that fights harder for us, too. But what that means is that we as a community must choose and vote for Democrats and elected officials who know how to stand up for the working class.”
Mary Ann Bennett, who attended Ocasio-Cortez’s Denver rally with Sanders on Friday, told Newsweek: “The Democratic Party has not been taking strong actions for the working class. Bernie and AOC acknowledged this, which is step one, and then laid out their plans for action which were met with strong cheers from the 30,000 people who showed up. Those moments were when I felt the most empowered and ready to fight for my neighbors.”
Monica Crowley, a former official in the Treasury Department during the first Trump administration, told Fox News in November: “Just a word of warning to the Republicans, to my party: Do not underestimate AOC. She’s young, she’s vibrant, she’s attractive.”
What Happens Next?
Democrats interested in running in 2028 aren’t expected to officially announce until 2027, although it’s possible someone could announce sooner.
Buttigieg, Newsom and several prominent Democratic governors are rumored to be considering runs. While Harris is also widely speculated to be weighing a second presidential bid, she is also reportedly looking at a run to be California’s next governor in the state’s 2026 election.
