{"id":2619385,"date":"2026-06-26T07:18:00","date_gmt":"2026-06-26T11:18:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/aocs-2028-options-grow-after-socialist-wins-in-new-york\/"},"modified":"2026-06-26T07:20:26","modified_gmt":"2026-06-26T11:20:26","slug":"aocs-2028-options-grow-after-socialist-wins-in-new-york","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/aocs-2028-options-grow-after-socialist-wins-in-new-york\/","title":{"rendered":"AOC&#8217;s 2028 options grow after socialist wins in New York"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"float:left\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">20<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Faocs-2028-options-grow-after-socialist-wins-in-new-york%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2619385&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/its-trumps-republican-party\/\" title=\"It&#039;s Trump&#039;s Republican Party\">recent primary victories<\/a> of democratic Socialists of America (DSA) candidates in New York have highlighted the growing influence of DSA within the Democratic Party and raised questions about the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/exclusive-interview-white-student-accused-of-sending-racist-messages-to-black-student-investigation-dubs-it-a-hoax\/\" title=\"Exclusive Interview: White Student Accused Of Sending Racist Messages To Black Student, Investigation Dubs It A \u2018Hoax\u2019\">future political ambitions<\/a> of Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (AOC). Several DSA-backed candidates defeated incumbent Democrats, signaling that grassroots socialist figures can challenge established Democrats successfully. This shift has alarmed some Democratic leaders but also opened new paths for rising stars like Ocasio-Cortez, who could possibly run for higher office, including a presidential bid or challenging Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer in 2028. While she has shown signs of preparing for these prospects through international appearances and national campaigns, strategists note that <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" >statewide races pose notable challenges<\/a> outside her progressive district. Ocasio-Cortez\u2019s recent political moves suggest she is balancing her outsider image with an ability to work within the establishment, but her ultimate ambitions remain uncertain amid a Democratic Party at a crossroads following disappointing election outcomes for Biden and Harris.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<article class=\"fn-body\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dsausa.org\/\">Democratic Socialists of America<\/a>\u2018s shocking wins in <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/new-york\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"61\">New York<\/a>\u2018s primaries not only solidified its growing power among the Democratic base but also fueled speculation that Rep. <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/alexandria-ocasio-cortez\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"282\">Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez<\/a> (D-NY) could mount a successful run for higher office.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Two DSA-aligned candidates, backed by New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, took down incumbent Democrats Tuesday night in a similar manner to Ocasio-Cortez\u2019s defeat of 10-term incumbent Joe Crowley during the 2018 midterm elections.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Darializa Avila Chevalier defeated Rep. Adriano Espaillat (D-NY), the chairman of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, and former New York City Comptroller Brad Lander defeated incumbent Rep. Dan Goldman (D-NY). State Assemblywoman Claire Valdez also defeated Rep. Nydia Velazquez\u2019s (D-NY) preferred successor, Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-1\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-1\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-15\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-1\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The primaries immediately put the Democratic establishment on notice that DSA members, of which Ocasio-Cortez is included, are no longer waiting their turn for power and can successfully oust senior Democrats. Topping the list of outstanding questions after the DSA sweep is Ocasio-Cortez\u2019s own future.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Ocasio-Cortez could mount a challenge against Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) in 2028, or, given her popularity and ability to fundraise, she could launch a 2028 presidential campaign.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cAOC has a massive platform already and all eyes are on her,\u201d said Kaivan Shroff, a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/dueling-ads-in-floridas-hot-gubernatorial-race-offer-varying-takes-on-freedom\/\" title=\"Dueling Ads in Florida\u2019s Hot Gubernatorial Race Offer Varying Takes on \u2018Freedom\u2019\">political communications expert<\/a> who worked on Hillary Clinton\u2019s 2016 presidential campaign. \u201cShe doesn\u2019t need the Senate, and it would be a waste of her momentum and also missing the moment to not run for president.\u201d<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-2\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-2\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-16\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-2\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The New York lawmaker has made several moves in recent months hinting at a 2028 run. In February, she made her international debut at the <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/munich\/\">Munich Security Conference<\/a>, although the event was not <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/white-house\/4457594\/aoc-munich-gaffe-2028-race\/\">without some missteps<\/a>. Back stateside, Ocasio-Cortez went on a nationwide \u201cFighting Oligarchy\u201d tour with Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) last year, attracting huge crowds of Democrats. Ocasio-Cortez also attended Martin Luther King Jr.\u2019s home church in Atlanta, Ebenezer Baptist, at the invitation of Sen. Raphael Warnock (D-GA).<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Despite coming into office as an insurgent \u201cSquad\u201d member, Ocasio-Cortez has also shown that she can work with the establishment by fundraising for party members, hitting the campaign trail for candidates, and not endorsing primary challengers to incumbent Democrats.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cShe\u2019s established a prominent record already, and is one of the most visible Democrats in Congress that we have,\u201d said Heath Brown, an associate professor at the John Jay College of Criminal Justice at CUNY and expert on presidential transitions. \u201cI think it\u2019s for that reason that the possibility of her running for another office is very strong. I think the very recent electoral outcomes only support her case that another office is a strong possibility.\u201d<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-3\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-3\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-17\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-3\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">After former President Joe Biden\u2019s disastrous 2024 campaign and former Vice President Kamala Harris\u2019s loss to President Donald Trump, the Democratic Party has been at odds over the direction of the party.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It has also been largely leaderless since Biden has decamped for Delaware to write a memoir and Harris hasn\u2019t taken an active role in the 2026 midterm elections. Sanders, who is endorsing candidates this cycle, has ruled himself out of contention for a 2028 White House bid.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In that vacuum, the DSA has risen to prominence. The socialist group has won at least 30 primaries this year, including the high-profile wins in New York and Janeese Lewis George\u2019s victory in Washington, D.C.\u2019s Democratic mayoral primary. The DSA\u2019s success in New York City, in particular, might make a challenge to Schumer all the more attractive.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-4\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-4\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-25\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-4\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Senate minority leader is also widely unpopular among Democrats. <em>RealClearPolitics\u2019s<\/em> <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.realclearpolling.com\/polls\/favorability\/chuck-schumer\">composite of polls<\/a> shows Schumer at a 49.4% unfavorable rating and a 25.1% favorable rating.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">But strategists warn Ocasio-Cortez\u2019s path to higher office won\u2019t be easy just because she\u2019s popular and nationally known.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Running a statewide campaign is completely different from running in a \u201csuper blue, super, super progressive district,\u201d said Jon Reinish, a New York-based Democratic strategist.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-5\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-5\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-26\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-5\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cStatewide primaries tend to be very high awareness,\u201d Reinish added. \u201cYou also have to win voters, not just in the most left-leaning precincts and districts. She would have to compete in the suburbs, she would have to compete outside New York City. Can she do that? That is something that I would really be looking at.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">While most strategists told the <em>Washington Examiner<\/em> that Ocasio-Cortez is a tactical lawmaker when it comes to coalition building and endorsements, her perception as an outsider has waned. Ocasio-Cortez did not endorse against New York lawmakers in the primaries and likely didn\u2019t weigh in on the race to succeed Velazquez due to their mentor-mentee relationship.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cAOC has straddled the establishment and progressive lane artfully, but this new DSA takeover, at least in NYC, is totally unfocused and unruly,\u201d said Shroff. \u201cYou can already look online to see leftists bashing her for being \u2018establishment\u2019 or not supporting figures like Graham Platner to the extent the Bernie bros want.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Sathvik Kaliyur, a Democratic strategist who has worked with New York lawmakers, cautioned that Ocasio-Cortez would likely shore up as much support as possible before launching a campaign for higher office.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cIf AOC decides to run for president, I think there are a few things that if she were strategic, she would make sure she had going into it,\u201d Kaliyur said. \u201cAnd I think one of those things is the support of Bernie. Another one of those things would be the support of the big left-wing groups like the [Working Families Party], like DSA.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/4598793\/bernie-sanders-heir-2028\/\">NO HEIR APPARENT: PROGRESSIVES SPLIT OVER WHO CARRIES BERNIE SANDERS\u2019S TORCH IN 2028<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">And if the New York lawmaker decides to take on Schumer, she would prevail, Kaliyur added.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cHis days are numbered, DSA or no DSA, and obviously I think that helps a lot,\u201d he said. \u201cI don\u2019t think he could win a primary in a modern-day Democratic electorate, especially because I think if AOC were to run, she has a bunch of money now \u2026 and I think she\u2019s built coalitions in the mainstream Left, as well as the DSA Left, and I think she would build a broad enough base that it wouldn\u2019t be particularly close.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>DSA wins in NY primaries boost Ocasio-Cortez&#8217;s potential bid<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2658,"featured_media":2619386,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/AP26022616548241.jpg?w=696","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[],"tags":[41461,8334,39987,59047],"class_list":["post-2619385","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","tag-2028-election","tag-aoc","tag-new-york-politics","tag-socialist-movement"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/AP26022616548241.jpg?w=696","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2619385","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2658"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2619385"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2619385\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2619389,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2619385\/revisions\/2619389"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2619386"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2619385"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2619385"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2619385"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}