Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, the progressive Democratic congresswoman from New York, is not ruling out a 2028 presidential bid following a new poll that positions her as the leading Democratic candidate for that election.

The University of New Hampshire Granite State Poll released on Wednesday, July 23, 2026, showed Ocasio-Cortez as the frontrunner among prospective Democratic presidential candidates. Despite this, she sidestepped a direct question from Fox News Digital about her interest in becoming the Democratic nominee.

"I have genuinely not really weighed seriously anything past the midterm elections," Ocasio-Cortez told Fox News Digital. She added, "I think that I'm taking in this information just like anybody else," and acknowledged having "less insight into it than they do."

Ocasio-Cortez has also considered a potential Senate bid against Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., when he is up for re-election in two years. Following recent primary wins by New York progressives, she expressed feeling "inspired and encouraged" about future political opportunities.

Some members of the Democratic Socialists of America are pushing for an earlier presidential endorsement, though the organization typically makes such decisions at its biennial national convention, scheduled for summer 2027.

Notably, political commentator Hasan Piker has publicly named Ocasio-Cortez as his pick for president in 2028, stating it is "not even a question."

Sources