Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez — anything is possible — Vasanthi Ramachandran

On August 24, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez was asked by ABC’s This Week whether she could envision herself running for president in 2028. "I haven’t ruled out the possibility," she responded. This marked the first time Ocasio-Cortez had openly considered the prospect of a presidential run.

Born into a working-class family, Ocasio-Cortez, a 28-year-old political newcomer, challenged 10-term Congressman Joe Crowley in June 2018. With grassroots volunteers and small donations, she won 57 percent of the vote. Ocasio-Cortez entered Congress in 2019 with minimal resources, but her impact has grown significantly. Her campaign committee reported over $32.6 million in receipts from January 2025 to June 2026, mostly from individual contributions.

Ocasio-Cortez has been a leading progressive voice in America and a top Democratic contender in a recent New Hampshire poll for the presidency. Her early career included questioning Michael Cohen, Donald Trump’s former personal lawyer, and Mark Zuckerberg over political advertising. In January 2025, she was appointed to the powerful House Energy and Commerce Committee, overseeing a third of the American economy.

Despite facing intense lobbying pressure, Ocasio-Cortez has maintained her stance against accepting money from lobbyists or corporations. Her questioning style is direct and focused, often targeting powerful figures. She has advocated for banning members of Congress and elected officials from trading individual stocks. Ocasio-Cortez's influence extends beyond her own campaigns, as she has begun endorsing and campaigning for other Democratic candidates, such as Abdul El-Sayed in Michigan’s Senate primary.

Beyond elections, Ocasio-Cortez emphasizes building community, addressing issues like child-rearing and reproductive choices. Her decision to discuss freezing her eggs highlighted the unique scrutiny women in public life face. Ocasio-Cortez sees a generational renewal in the Democratic Party, with millennials taking on greater political responsibility.