Talk is heating up about Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s potential plans for 2028 after she successfully backed underdog socialist Zohran Mamdani in the intense New York City Democratic mayoral primary.
Many analysts believe the progressive “Squad” member is aiming to advance beyond her House seat—possibly to the Senate or even the presidency—following Mamdani’s surprising victory over former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo on Tuesday night.
“It keeps opening new opportunities,” said Corbin Trent, Ocasio-Cortez’s former spokesperson and author of the America’s Undoing Substack, in an interview with The Post. “It really expands her horizons.”
The representative from the Bronx and Queens was among the most prominent Democrats to endorse Zohran Mamdani in the New York City Democratic mayoral primary.
The 35-year-old congresswoman representing the Bronx and Queens was arguably the most high-profile Democrat to endorse Mamdani, 33, at a time when he was largely viewed as the underdog in the race.
Cuomo, a three-time elected Democrat, had the support of establishment figures like South Carolina Rep. Jim Clyburn and former President Bill Clinton—but still trailed Mamdani by 7 points in the ranked-choice voting contest.
“You can always count on her being underestimated, that’s for sure,” Trent said of AOC.
Mamdani’s surprising win “gives her a bit of a national victory and more attention for backing the right candidate and moving in the right direction,” he added.
Other Democratic operatives and aides agreed that Ocasio-Cortez would see the socialist’s rise as confirmation that her grassroots, progressive approach can succeed in a future presidential race.
However, some warned that Cuomo’s loss was more about his own damaged reputation.
“He had the consultants, lobbyists, and ruthless operatives—and then there’s his own record,” one Democratic operative noted. “There’s really nothing to like.”
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez is facing widespread speculation regarding her plans for 2028.
Nearly seven years ago, Ocasio-Cortez had a breakthrough of her own when she defeated longtime House Democratic Caucus Chair Rep. Joe Crowley (D-NY) in the 2018 primary.
The key question now is whether she will aim for Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer’s (D-NY) seat or set her sights on the presidency a decade after her rapid ascent from bartender to congresswoman.
One Democratic operative told The Post that AOC is still more likely to challenge Schumer in the 2028 primary.
However, another source suggested that challenging Schumer would pale in comparison to “holding [presidential] rallies across the country,” similar to Ocasio-Cortez’s recent “Fight Oligarchy” events with socialist Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.).
“The polls show she would beat Schumer in a primary, and with her and Bernie touring upstate New York, I think you’d see even more momentum than expected,” Trent said about her potential.
“People know they’re being taken advantage of. When you go out there and deliver that message, it really resonates,” he added, referring to Mamdani’s platform focused on affordability
