The political landscape is abuzz with speculation about the future of Democratic Rep.
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, a prominent member of the "Squad" and a rising star in the progressive wing of the Democratic Party.
Her involvement in Senator Bernie Sanders' "Fighting Oligarchy" tour earlier this year has fueled rumors about her potential political ambitions, including a possible run for the U.S. Senate or even the presidency in 2028.
According to Fox News, Ocasio-Cortez's ascent to national prominence comes at a time when the Democratic Party is seeking fresh leadership following a series of electoral losses last year. The youngest woman ever elected to Congress, Ocasio-Cortez has amassed a significant social media following and has become a leading voice for progressive ideals within her party.
Key members of Ocasio-Cortez's team are alumni of the Sanders campaign. Her chief of staff, Mike Casca, previously served as Sanders' deputy chief of staff and was a key figure in Sanders' political operation, both during his presidential campaign and on Capitol Hill.
Oliver Hidalgo-Wohlleben, Ocasio-Cortez's campaign manager, has over a decade of political experience and was the political director of Sanders' super PAC, Friends of Bernie Sanders, before joining Ocasio-Cortez's team in 2023.
Democratic strategist Mike Nellis, a Sanders alumnus himself, told Fox News Digital, "AOC is a pretty savvy politician with a strong operation. No matter what she decides to do, they're setting her up for the future." However, Nellis cautioned against reading too much into the presence of former Sanders staffers in Ocasio-Cortez's campaign, stating, "I think thats just who she knows and who she trusts."
While some see the potential for Ocasio-Cortez to inherit Sanders' legacy, others caution against such assumptions. Democratic strategist Kaivan Shroff argued that it can be a "mistake to keep the old guard" when trying to build something new, adding, "I don't know that somebody is going to inherit the legacy of Bernie Sanders."
Recent reports suggest that Ocasio-Cortez's team is positioning her for a run for the presidency or the U.S. Senate in 2028. This coincides with the re-election year for Senator Schumer, who will have served 47 years in Congress by then.
Republican strategist Matt Gorman told Fox News Digital, "AOC doesn't need the Senate. The Senate, at this point, is too small for her. I would expect her to run for president 2028." He believes that Ocasio-Cortez, like President Donald Trump, has the potential to attract voters who don't typically engage in the political process.
However, Shroff disagrees, stating, "She absolutely should not run for president. It would be way too soon. I don't think she's really achieved enough to justify that." He sees a Senate run as more realistic, especially given the liberal leanings of New York and the potential vulnerability of Schumer, with whom "some very loyal base Democrats have lost their patience."
The speculation about Ocasio-Cortez's political future was further fueled by her participation in an advertisement challenging Trump and advocating for California redistricting. Both she and Sanders have endorsed and campaigned for Zohran Mamdani, a self-described Democratic socialist and New York City Democratic mayoral nominee.
Shroff believes that if Mamdani wins the mayoral election, it could serve as a litmus test for the modern progressive branch of the Democratic Party. He warned, however, that the leftist ideology could be debunked on a national level if Mamdani fails to deliver on his promises, which could negatively impact Ocasio-Cortez.
In April, a video posted on Ocasio-Cortez's campaign account sparked further rumors of a potential presidential run. When asked about her presidential ambitions, Ocasio-Cortez did not rule out the possibility of a 2028 presidential run.
Gorman, the Republican strategist, acknowledged that both Sanders and Ocasio-Cortez understand the need for Democrats to be more than just anti-Trump. He said, "I certainly disagree with Bernie and AOC's strategy of how to lead the party and where to take America, but at least they have one. That's more than just, I hate Trump.'"
Gorman also suggested that the Democratic Party's establishment might not be able to stop a united, far-left wing of the party this time.
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