After Mamdani's victory, New York socialists eye AOC for 2028 US presidential race

The New York City chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) has called on Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez to run for US president in 2028, signalling growing support for her as a potential successor to Senator Bernie Sanders as the leading voice of the American left, Financial Times reports.

Delegates at the organisation's convention in Manhattan voted 291-123 on Saturday to pass a resolution urging the 37-year-old congresswoman to seek the Democratic presidential nomination.

Ocasio-Cortez, who became a prominent figure in American progressive politics after defeating longtime Democratic congressman Joe Crowley in 2018, has yet to indicate whether she intends to enter the presidential race.

The endorsement, however, carries political significance as the New York City DSA played a major role in Zohran Mamdani's successful campaign for mayor and has secured a series of electoral victories for democratic socialist candidates in recent years.

“We are down to be the footsoldiers for a democratic socialist presidential campaign,” said Gustavo Gordillo, co-chair of the NYC DSA.

The chapter has more than 16,000 members.

The endorsement comes after a series of electoral breakthroughs for democratic socialists in this month's US midterm elections. Six DSA-backed candidates won seats in the House of Representatives, including two from New York — Claire Valdez and Darializa Avila Chevalier.

In Los Angeles, democratic socialist Nithya Raman defeated incumbent Mayor Karen Bass, giving democratic socialists leadership of the country's two largest cities.

Ocasio-Cortez has enjoyed the NYC DSA's endorsement since her first congressional campaign in 2018. However, her relationship with parts of the socialist movement has been strained by disagreements over her cooperation with Democratic Party leaders in Congress.

The DSA's national organisation withdrew its endorsement of her in 2024 over her position on Israel.

Following Sanders's presidential campaigns in 2016 and 2020, Ocasio-Cortez has increasingly been viewed as a potential figure to lead the progressive wing of the Democratic Party.

The 2028 Democratic presidential field remains wide open. If Ocasio-Cortez decides against running, it is unclear which candidate could unite the party's progressive voters. Another possible political route for her would be to challenge for the New York Senate seat currently held by 75-year-old Democratic leader Chuck Schumer.

The NYC DSA hopes a presidential campaign would provide democratic socialists with a national platform and help expand the organisation's membership.

The convention's keynote speaker was a member of Mexico's Morena party, which has around 12 million members.

“That’s the level of our ambition,” Gordillo said.