The New York City chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America (NYC-DSA) has voted to formally urge Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez to run for United States president in 2028.
The Vote & Convention
The resolution passed by a vote of 291 to 123 during the chapter’s citywide convention. Although it does not constitute a formal national endorsement, it commits the influential local chapter to laying the groundwork for and encouraging a potential presidential bid.
Policy Priorities
Proponents of the resolution said a potential campaign would focus on working-class priorities, including Medicare for All, the Green New Deal, public housing, an arms embargo on Israel, labor organizing, and abolishing U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
Internal Debate
The vote was not unanimous. Some members raised objections, arguing that Ocasio-Cortez has occasionally distanced herself from certain core principles of the organization. In 2024, the national DSA withdrew its endorsement of her following disagreements over the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Others cautioned that pushing for a presidential bid prematurely could complicate the formal endorsement process in the future.
Ocasio-Cortez’s Stance
Ocasio-Cortez, popularly known as AOC, is a longtime member of NYC-DSA, the chapter representing her home city.
With approximately 15,000 members, the New York City chapter has become one of the movement’s most influential branches.
It endorsed Mayor Zohran Mamdani last year and has supported Ocasio-Cortez in all five of her congressional general elections since 2018.
The chapter’s electoral influence has given it a prominent role in shaping the direction of progressive politics in the United States.
Ocasio-Cortez has kept her political future open, previously stating that she would decide her next steps following the midterm elections.
These could include a 2028 presidential bid or a potential run for the U.S. Senate. She has not publicly responded to the NYC-DSA resolution.
The resolution passed at the chapter’s convention on Saturday, following a strong showing by DSA-endorsed candidates in the midterm elections.
A record eight DSA-endorsed candidates were elected to federal office and are expected to take their congressional seats in January.
“If the US can elect Trump, I think we can elect Democratic Socialists,” NYC-DSA co-chair Gustavo Gordillo told Al Jazeera, referring to President Donald Trump.
