What AOC has said about a 2028 presidential run

Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez is considered one of the top names in the Democratic party, and she doesn't seem to be entirely writing off a presidential run next election.

The progressive joined Democratic strategist David Axelrod for an interview this past week, who asked her flat-out if she was considering a presidential or Senate run. In response, she said her "ambition is to change this country."

Here's what to know about the interview, and what AOC has said before about the 2028 race.

What did AOC say about running for president?

In a talk with Axelrod on May 8, the 36-year-old New York congresswoman did not immediately shut out the idea of running next election, whether that be for a Senate seat or the White House.

"They assume that my ambition is a title or a seat," Ocasio-Cortez said. "And my ambition is way bigger than that. My ambition is to change this country."

The crowd erupted in cheers after her response.

"Presidents come and go. Senate, House seats, elected officials come and go," she said. "But single-payer healthcare is forever, a living wage is forever, workers' rights are forever, women's rights, all of that."

AOC's office did not immediately respond to a request for comment by USA TODAY.

This is not the first time she has had to answer about her own political ambitions. In February, AOC was asked a similar question during a panel, the interviewer saying: “So, when you run for president, are you going to impose a wealth tax or a billionaire’s tax?”

Instead of answering flat-out, the congresswoman said that Americans “don’t have to wait for any one president to impose a wealth tax.” 

“I think that it needs to be done expeditiously."

Who are the Democratic frontrunners for a presidential run in 2028?

Other names that have been thrown around for a potential run include Gov. Gavin Newsom, Gov. Josh Shapiro and former Vice President Kamala Harris.

In a Yale Youth poll from fall 2025, Ocasio-Cortez was strongly-backed by younger Democrats against the possible contenders.

"Unlike in the Republican primary, the Democratic candidates have larger variations in support between different demographic groups, suggesting that candidates have started to develop bases of support," the poll's release said at the time.

"For instance, Ocasio-Cortez leads among Democrats under 35 with 32%."