It's AOC or bust for far-left Democrats in 2028

"There's a window of opportunity for a left-wing nominee that may not come again for a generation. Democratic-socialist and liberal victories in New York City and elsewhere - with potentially more this fall - have changed the political playing field."

"At the end of 2025, she still had more than $13 million in a campaign account after spending several million on building up her already formidable grassroots fundraising machine with social media advertising and list-building, according to campaign finance records."

"Ari Rabin-Havt, a deputy campaign manager for Sanders in 2020, told Axios that AOC "has earned her place as the top dog" among liberals, "and if she does run, she obviously becomes the biggest star and sucks up the oxygen in that lane.""

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez is strategically preparing for a 2028 presidential or Senate campaign. She maintains over $13 million in campaign funds and has spent millions building grassroots fundraising capabilities through social media and list-building. Her team is monitoring liberal candidates in midterm races to assess voter appetite for left-wing outsiders. She could potentially raise $100 million online without traditional fundraisers. As the liberal heir to Bernie Sanders, her candidacy would force Democratic debates on Medicare for All and Gaza. If a presidential run falters, she retains the option to pursue Chuck Schumer's Senate seat. Former Sanders operatives are building media infrastructure that could support her political ambitions.

Read at Axios