Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez signaled that she remains open to a potential 2028 presidential run during an August 9 appearance on ABC News’ “This Week.” When questioned by host Jonathan Karl about a recent University of New Hampshire poll that placed her at the forefront of the Democratic primary field, the New York lawmaker stated, “I haven’t ruled out the possibility, and I’m very humbled to the tremendous amount of support out there.” However, she emphasized that her current focus remains on the upcoming midterm elections rather than individual political aspirations.
The congresswoman also addressed speculation regarding a potential challenge to Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, who is up for reelection in 2028. When asked if she would consider running against her fellow New York Democrat, she remarked that “anything is possible at this juncture.”
Interest in a potential Ocasio-Cortez candidacy has intensified as progressive Democrats gain momentum during the second Trump term. Even Vice President JD Vance identified her as a top contender, stating in a June interview on “The Michael Knowles Show” that “it’s got to be AOC.” Additionally, New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani expressed enthusiasm regarding her potential future plans during a July interview with the New York Times.
Ocasio-Cortez has previously maintained that her political goals transcend specific offices. During a May event in Chicago alongside strategist David Axelrod, she clarified, “They assume that my ambition is a title or a seat. And my ambition is way bigger than that. My ambition is to change this country.”
Discussing the broader political landscape, she highlighted the recent primary victory of progressive candidate Abdul El-Sayed over Rep. Hayley Stevens as a sign of renewal within the Democratic Party. She characterized the new wave of candidates as individuals who “answer to no master,” noting that their independence from corporate interests or party leadership makes their campaigns more responsive to their constituents.
Beyond her political outlook, Ocasio-Cortez spoke about her decision to freeze her eggs, a personal choice she first shared on social media on August 8. She explained that she went public with the news to provide more diverse representations of women leading full, multifaceted lives.
She further linked this personal decision to the current political climate, citing the Trump administration’s restrictions on reproductive healthcare access. During the interview, she expressed that it is vital for leaders to normalize these conversations.
“In this political environment where this administration is denying reproductive care to women across the country, from abortion rights to the ability to carry out a healthy pregnancy, I think it’s important for us as leaders to have these conversations and share these processes, especially for working women across the country and normalize them,” Ocasio-Cortez said.
“I think that we have a responsibility to remain focused on the midterms and not on our individual aspirations or plans,” she added.
“We have really an ascendance of a young, inspiring, exciting electorate, energizing wave of candidates that I think really inject a new energy to the Democratic Party and add to the toolbox of candidates that we have to win the midterm elections hopefully in November.”
“They are not beholden to any corporate interest or any party boss and they are completely independent, which allows them to be responsive to their communities and the people that elected them,” Ocasio-Cortez said.