NEW YORK — Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez declined to rule out a challenge to Senator Chuck Schumer in the 2028 election. She stated she will decide whether to run for president or the Senate after the midterm elections. "I’m not naive to the fact that we are living under a very regressive administration, and I happen to be a woman, and I, you know, happen to be Latina," Ocasio-Cortez said.

"There’s an argument that some make that this is a very unique political window and, oftentimes in politics, you do only get one shot," Ocasio-Cortez said. "What is very odd about our political culture is that for some reason when you raise it, people just freak out," she said.

Ocasio-Cortez addressed the possibility of running against the New York senator, whose current Senate term expires in 2028. Schumer is 75 years old and has served as a United States senator from New York since 1999, becoming the state's senior senator in 2001.

"We’re working hard to have that problem," she said of a potential Democratic Senate majority. "And I’ll cross that bridge when I get to it." "I don’t think that my decisions would come down to deference," she said regarding her political future.

Financial data indicates she has raised more than $32 million since 2025. As of June 2026, she had more than $15 million in cash on hand. A Data for Progress survey found that 55% of likely Democratic voters would support or lean toward supporting Ocasio-Cortez, while 36% would back Schumer.

Why It Matters

The potential primary challenge shows a shift in the Democratic Party as established leaders face pressure from newer figures. Schumer’s long tenure and age create an opening for contenders who argue for new leadership directions. The polling data shows a split among Democratic voters, with a majority leaning toward Ocasio-Cortez in a hypothetical matchup against Schumer.

The broader national context includes uncertainty in the 2028 presidential race, where Ocasio-Cortez is also considered a contender. The drop in support for Vice President Kamala Harris and the lack of a clear frontrunner contribute to a volatile political environment. This instability may influence decisions by high-profile Democrats like Ocasio-Cortez regarding which office to pursue.

Timeline

2024: Harris's support among Democratic voters stood at 45 percent in July. 2025: Ocasio-Cortez began raising funds, accumulating more than $32 million since this year. June 2026: Ocasio-Cortez had more than $15 million in cash on hand. September 2026: Ocasio-Cortez declined to rule out a 2028 Senate challenge to Schumer.

What's New

Streamers Hasan Piker and Reid Hoffman have expressed support for Ocasio-Cortez's potential 2028 campaigns. "There’s an argument that some make that this is a very unique political window and, oftentimes in politics, you do only get one shot," she said. "And you don’t — and just in life in general — life doesn’t wait for you to be ready for things. Sometimes life just makes things ready for you."

"What is very odd about our political culture is that for some reason when you raise it, people just freak out," she said regarding discussions of gender in politics. "They get so defensive at the mere suggestion that gender could play a role." A Bowling Green State University/YouGov poll placed Ocasio-Cortez tied with Gavin Newsom in third place for the 2028 Democratic nomination, behind Harris and Pete Buttigieg.

Ocasio-Cortez donated $300,000 from her campaign account to help Democrats in New York. CNN chief data analyst Harry Enten described the 2028 Democratic primary field as the 'messiest' and least clear since 1992, noting no clear leader among contenders. Harris's support among Democratic voters dropped from 45 percent in July 2024 to 17 percent in recent polling. Schumer surpassed Daniel Patrick Moynihan and Jacob K. Javits to become the longest-serving U.S. senator from New York.

How Sources Differ

Primary source plus additional sources report that Ocasio-Cortez declined to rule out a challenge to Senator Schumer in the 2028 election.

Bowling Green State University/YouGov poll reports that Ocasio-Cortez is tied with Gavin Newsom in third place for the 2028 Democratic nomination, behind Harris and Pete Buttigieg.

New York Times/Siena University poll reports that roughly 41% of likely voters and 75% of Republicans view Ocasio-Cortez unfavorably.