Connect with us

Politics

AOC Teases 2028 Run

Published

1 day ago

on

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez is not officially running for president. But she is no longer pretending the idea is off-limits.

The progressive New York congresswoman ignited 2028 speculation on Wednesday after reacting to a viral post showing her narrowly leading Vice President JD Vance in a hypothetical general election matchup.

Her response was brief, playful, and unmistakably deliberate: “Bloop!”

The comment was posted above a screenshot shared by NewsWire citing a Verasight poll that showed Ocasio-Cortez ahead of Vance 51 percent to 49 percent in a head-to-head contest. Within hours, the post racked up hundreds of thousands of views, thousands of likes, and a wave of media coverage treating the moment less as a joke and more as a signal.

For years, Ocasio-Cortez has deflected questions about presidential ambitions, insisting her focus remains on Congress and progressive policy battles. This time, she did not dismiss the premise. Instead, she amplified it.

The timing is notable. President Donald Trump is currently in office, reshaping the Republican Party for a second time and positioning JD Vance as his most visible heir apparent. On the Democratic side, the field remains unsettled. Several party heavyweights have cooled on the idea of running, while activists continue to push for a younger, more confrontational standard-bearer.

That role has long been associated with Ocasio-Cortez.

While the Verasight poll is hypothetical and far from predictive, it offered progressives something they have been searching for: a data point suggesting their most prominent figure could compete nationally against a Trump-aligned Republican. Ocasio-Cortez’s decision to engage with it publicly was seen by many as intentional.

NewsWire later shared data from Polymarket showing Ocasio-Cortez’s odds of winning the 2028 Democratic primary ticking up to 11 percent. That number remains well behind more established names, but it reflects a growing belief among online bettors that she is at least considering a run.

Republicans, for their part, welcomed the moment. Conservative commentators quickly framed the poll as a gift, arguing that Ocasio-Cortez would be an ideal opponent to run against in a general election, given her record and rhetoric. For now, Ocasio-Cortez is letting the speculation simmer.

AOC has significantly expanded her national profile beyond her New York House district, frequently campaigning across the country, appearing alongside progressive figures like Bernie Sanders, and weighing broader political ambitions. Reports indicate she is keeping multiple options open, including a potential presidential run or a U.S. Senate challenge in New York, but she has publicly stopped short of committing to either path.

Beyond AOC, a wide field of Democrats is already being discussed as potential 2028 presidential candidates, even though no major figure has formally declared. Former Vice President Kamala Harris remains one of the most prominent names, given her previous national campaigns and continued visibility within the party. California Governor Gavin Newsom is also widely viewed as a leading possibility, frequently topping early preference polls and maintaining a strong national media presence. Pete Buttigieg, the former transportation secretary and 2020 presidential candidate, is another figure often mentioned due to his established donor network and national recognition.

Related Topics: