It’s over three years away, but the GOP already has their sights on the next presidential election. But they just got a surprising update.
And Republicans are grinning ear to ear after this 2028 presidential election rumor hit their desks.
The political world is buzzing with speculation about Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s ambitions for 2028, following her endorsement of socialist Zohran Mamdani in New York City’s fiercely contested Democratic mayoral primary. Mamdani’s unexpected triumph over former Gov. Andrew Cuomo has sparked fresh questions about whether the 35-year-old congresswoman from the Bronx and Queens is eyeing a leap to the Senate—or even the presidency.
Mamdani’s victory, a stunning upset in a ranked-choice voting race where he outpaced Cuomo by seven points, has amplified AOC’s influence. As a prominent member of the progressive “Squad,” she was among the most visible Democrats to champion Mamdani, a 33-year-old underdog, against a heavyweight backed by party stalwarts like Rep. Jim Clyburn and former President Bill Clinton.
“It just continues to open more doors,” said Corbin Trent, Ocasio-Cortez’s former spokesperson and author of the America’s Undoing Substack, in an interview with the New York Post. He highlighted how Mamdani’s win elevates AOC’s national profile, adding, “You can always count on her being underestimated for sure, that’s a given.”
Trent sees the socialist’s rise as a testament to AOC’s knack for backing winners, noting, “It gives her a little bit of a national victory, more national attention for going in the right direction and backing the right horse.”
Many Democratic insiders agree, viewing Mamdani’s grassroots-fueled success as evidence that Ocasio-Cortez’s progressive, people-powered approach could shake up the 2028 presidential race.
Yet, some argue Cuomo’s loss stems more from his tarnished reputation than AOC’s influence. “He had the consulting class, the lobbyists, and nasty operatives, and then his own track record,” a Democratic operative remarked. “There’s nothing to like.”
AOC’s own political journey mirrors Mamdani’s ascent. Seven years ago, she stunned the establishment by defeating Rep. Joe Crowley, a powerful House Democrat, in a 2018 primary.
Now, the question looms: will she challenge Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer in 2028 or aim for the White House?
One operative, when speaking with the New York Post, believes a Senate run is more likely, given polls showing AOC could defeat Schumer in a primary. Her recent “Fight Oligarchy” rallies with Sen. Bernie Sanders suggest she’s testing the waters for a larger stage.
“The polls say she would beat Schumer at primary, and I think, you see her and Bernie going through some upstate New York tours, I think you’d absolutely see more than you’d expect,” Trent said, pointing to her ability to connect with voters.
“People know they’re getting screwed. And I think you go out there and tell that message. It’ll resonate.”
Others see her sights set higher. A Democratic aide suggested Mamdani’s win could embolden the party’s left wing to push AOC as a presidential contender, arguing her messaging resonates nationally. If she ran and won in 2028, she’d make history as the youngest and first female U.S. president.
Republicans, meanwhile, are gleeful at the prospect. Mamdani’s controversial stances—government-run grocery stores, anti-police rhetoric, and criticism of Israel—provide plenty of content for GOP attacks.
Rep. Wesley Hunt (R-Texas) took to X with biting sarcasm: “The Democrat Party should stop wasting time, just crown AOC the 2028 nominee now! She’s a foreign policy mastermind, her legislative wins are too many to count, and she clearly speaks for Democrat leadership.”
He added, “This is the candidate who can unite climate alarmists, people who think economics is a vibe, and believe that we’re all just citizens of the world. Run AOC, Run!”
Schumer, who faces re-election in 2028, has drawn progressive ire, particularly for not opposing a GOP bill to avoid a partial government shutdown in March. AOC, a vocal advocate for a shutdown showdown, could capitalize on this discontent. While Schumer congratulated Mamdani, he hasn’t fully endorsed him as he faces Mayor Eric Adams, now running as an independent, in the general election.
Some Republicans predict a showdown. “Tonight’s biggest winner is [Ocasio-Cortez]. [Schumer] is cooked in a Democratic primary in 2028,” Rep. Mike Lawler (R-NY) posted on X.
Trent, however, downplayed the idea that Mamdani’s win heavily sways AOC’s plans, instead praising her communication prowess. “There’s no question about that,” he said, calling her the “Michael Jordan” of political messaging. Whether she targets the Senate or the presidency, AOC’s next move will keep the political world watching.
Stay tuned to the Conservative Column.
