NEW YORK — Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez said she has not ruled out a potential run for president in 2028 during an ABC News interview on August 9, 2026. The New York representative also stated she has not ruled out a potential run for the U.S. Senate in 2028.

Ocasio-Cortez addressed speculation about her future political ambitions while emphasizing her current legislative priorities. "I haven't ruled out the possibility. And I'm very humbled to the tremendous amount of support out there," Ocasio-Cortez said. She added that anything is possible at this juncture but maintained that her immediate focus remains on the upcoming elections.

The congresswoman stressed the importance of party unity and electoral success in the near term over individual career planning. "I think that we have a responsibility to remain focused on the midterms and not on our individual aspirations," Ocasio-she said. She noted that she is currently running for Congress and is focused on winning those midterms.

Ocasio-Cortez represents New York's 14th Congressional District and was first elected to Congress in 2018. At 36 years old, she became the youngest woman ever to serve in the House of Representatives at age 29. Her political rise began when she served as an organiser for Bernie Sanders's 2016 presidential campaign.

While keeping her own options open, Ocasio-Cortez actively endorsed progressive allies in recent primary contests. She endorsed Abdul El-Sayed in the Michigan Senate primary, where he defeated US congresswoman Haley Stevens to claim the Democratic nomination for the Senate in Michigan. This endorsement renewed a prior relationship, as Ocasio-Cortez previously endorsed Abdul El-Sayed during his 2018 Michigan gubernatorial campaign.

El-Sayed won the Michigan Democratic Senate primary by 15,000 votes out of 1.5 million cast, marking a 1.0% margin. His campaign platform included pledges to reject funding for Israel and promote Medicare for All. Sen. Bernie Sanders also endorsed Abdul El-Sayed in the Michigan Senate primary, aligning with Ocasio-Cortez's support.

The potential for a 2028 Senate bid by Ocasio-Cortez involves significant internal party dynamics. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer is up for re-election in 2028. A Data for Progress poll cited in July 2026 showed Ocasio-Cortez leading by double digits in a hypothetical 2028 Senate primary against Sen. Chuck Schumer. This data showed her potential as a challenger within the Democratic Party.

The Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) internally debated whether Ocasio-Cortez should run for president instead of challenging Schumer in 2028. Some members argued her presence in the presidential race would create a 'lane for a socialist' in a crowded field. Earlier coverage on 2026-07-21 reported that Bhaskar Sunkara argued Ocasio-Cortez should run for president.

Ocasio-Cortez discussed broader shifts in political rhetoric and demographic realities during the interview. "Millennials are not punk kids anymore. We’re grown adults with mortgages and kids," Ocasio-she said. Polling tracker Catalist reported that millennials made up 25% of the electorate in 2024, while baby boomers comprised 32% of the electorate in 2024.

Economic factors continue to influence millennial political engagement. About 25% of millennial homeowners received help with their down payment from their parents, according to a Visa Business and Economic Insights report. Ocasio-she noted that the doors were really open in trying to entertain any and every policy that was going to get us to a better place.

The representative also addressed changes in political discourse since the period following George Floyd's murder. Ocasio-she stated that rhetoric used during that time is not rhetoric that would be used today. She linked these shifts to broader responsibilities leaders hold in addressing social and economic issues.

Ocasio-Cortez disclosed personal health decisions in the context of national reproductive rights debates. She stated she has begun the process of freezing her eggs. "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-she said.

A University of New Hampshire poll found Ocasio-Cortez leading the field in New Hampshire ahead of the 2026 midterms. This polling data placed her among top contenders in early looks at future electoral landscapes, alongside figures such as Pete Buttigieg and Gavin Newsom among Democrats.

Ocasio-Cortez's comments clarify her stance on future elections while maintaining her current role in Congress. Her openness to a 2028 presidential or Senate run intersects with ongoing debates within the Democratic Party about leadership and direction. The potential challenge to Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer shows tensions between progressive and establishment factions, as evidenced by internal DSA discussions and polling data showing Ocasio-Cortez with strong support in hypothetical primaries.

Her endorsements of candidates like Abdul El-Sayed demonstrate her continued influence in shaping the party's progressive wing. El-Sayed's narrow victory in Michigan, secured by a 1.0% margin, reflects the competitiveness of progressive agendas in primary contests. As millennials comprise a significant portion of the electorate, Ocasio-Cortez's emphasis on their evolving economic realities, such as homeownership and family responsibilities, reflects a strategic alignment with this demographic's changing priorities.

Why It Matters

Ocasio-Cortez's openness to a 2028 presidential or Senate run sets up a potential intra-party contest with Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, who faces re-election that year. Her decision carries weight as millennials, whom she describes as grown adults with mortgages, comprised 25% of the 2024 electorate. By keeping options open while endorsing progressive allies like Abdul El-Sayed, she influences the direction of Democratic leadership and policy priorities regarding issues such as Medicare for All.