Her Comes AOC 2028? At a time when there are a lot of questions about the road ahead for Democrats, what it might look like, and who might emerge as the new leader, there are a couple of intriguing recent developments involving one such contender, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY.), or AOC.
The Democratic Congresswoman from New York has been making very well-attended appearances around the country alongside Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT), known as the “Fighting Oligarchy” tour.
The message of the tour is to oppose both Trump’s policies and the influence of billionaires on them. That differs from other factions within the Democratic Party, who have sought to fundraise from “good billionaires,” in the words of DNC Chairman Ken Martin.
The tour has drawn massive crowds, including at least some that are largely than any Sanders drew at any point in his two presidential runs, and has even drawn huge numbers in deep red states like Utah.
There’s also news that the woman known as AOC had a massive fundraising quarter.
$9.6 million for AOC
According to CNBC, which cited public disclosures, AOC raised $9.6 million in the first quarter of 2025. The “Fighting Oligarchy” events were not fundraisers but coincided with a very successful fundraising quarter for the Congresswoman.
It was her largest haul in a quarter in her career, and more than five times what she brought in the same quarter the previous year, which unlike 2025 was an election year.
The donations came in small amounts, with the average amount just $21 and 64 percent coming from first-time donors. This has been the traditional way that Sanders has done fundraising during his presidential runs.
2026 or 2028?
There are a couple of rumors out there about what AOC might do next. She could challenge Sen. Charles Schumer (D-NY), the Senate minority leader, for his Senate seat as a way of channeling anger at Schumer for how he has conducted himself in office since Trump’s second term started, as well as the perception that too many Democratic Party leaders are of advanced age.
Schumer is 74, while AOC is 35. In December, Ocasio-Cortez lost a bid to become the top Democrat on the House Oversight Committee, which would have put her in a position to lead that committee, which often investigates the incumbent administration and holds high-profile hearings, following a Democratic takeover of Congress. Gerry Connolly (D-MA), the Democrat who beat her out for that post, is 75 years old and has cancer.
AOC for President?
The other possibility is that OAC could run for president herself in 2028. Sanders is 83 and has essentially promised that he won’t be running again.
There isn’t really any other natural successor in the Democratic Party for Sanders’ coalition, and AOC is a naturally talented politician who could expand that coalition into something larger than Sanders himself ever managed.
There are other reasons to be bullish on Ocasio-Cortez’s chances in a 2028 race. She seems likely to stand out in a race in which most of her opponents will probably be governors, male, considerably older than her, and from closer to the centrist wing of the party than she is. And after four years of Trump, there’s a chance the electorate may wish to go in a further left direction than they were in 2024.
Why Wouldn’t She Run?
AOC has expressed pessimism about running for president in the past.
“My experience here has given me a front-row seat to how deeply and unconsciously, as well as consciously, so many people in this country hate women,” she said in a 2022 interview.
AOC. Image Credit: Screenshot.
More recently, a Vanity Fair story reported that AOC “enjoys the work of the legislative process and, after six tumultuous years in office, is increasingly confident about how to effectively navigate Congress.”
And there’s also the chance she could choose to pursue the Senate race in 2026 instead.
About the Author: Stephen Silver
Stephen Silver is an award-winning journalist, essayist and film critic, and contributor to the Philadelphia Inquirer, the Jewish Telegraphic Agency, Broad Street Review and Splice Today. The co-founder of the Philadelphia Film Critics Circle, Stephen lives in suburban Philadelphia with his wife and two sons. For over a decade, Stephen has authored thousands of articles that focus on politics, technology, and the economy. Follow him on X (formerly Twitter) at @StephenSilver, and subscribe to his Substack newsletter.
