For many members of the Democratic Socialists of America, Zohran Mamdani’s successful New York City mayoral run has become more than a local political breakthrough — it is being viewed as fresh momentum for a bigger national push behind Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez in the 2028 presidential race.
The Democratic Party is expected to face a crowded and unpredictable 2028 primary field, with high-profile names such as Gavin Newsom, Pete Buttigieg and possibly even Kamala Harris seen as potential contenders for the White House.
But the party’s most progressive wing argues that Mamdani’s victory, combined with strong showings by other left-wing candidates in recent House and Senate primaries, suggests the political climate may finally be ready for a Democratic Socialists of America-backed presidential campaign.
At the DSA’s recent national convention in Chicago, several influential members told The Washington Post that the organization should not only rally behind Ocasio-Cortez, but begin making that case immediately if it wants her to seriously enter the 2028 race.
Katie Sims, an electoral organizer based in Ithaca, New York, said the movement needs to “put our feet where our mouth is” if it hopes to compete with establishment campaigns that are likely to have far deeper financial resources.
When another DSA member asked Sims whether there was any other possible candidate she could imagine the group endorsing, her answer was blunt: “No one.”
Another member, who spoke anonymously to the Post because DSA convention attendees were advised not to talk with reporters, said the moment appears to be lining up for the New York congresswoman.
“We’ve all known Alex. We’ve all organized with her over the years. This is the first time in 10 years I feel like she has a real shot at the presidency,” the member said.
Members of the Democratic Socialists of America see their recent triumph in electing Zohran Mamdani Mayor of New York City as a sign to boost Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez for President in 2028
Outside the recent DSA national convention in Chicago , key members believe that not only should the organization get on board but that the time to push Ocasio-Cortez into the race was now
While DSA endorsed Bernie Sanders in 2016 and 2020, they did not endorse in the 2024 race. Some members believe Ocasio-Cortez is their option in 2028.
‘Everybody is well aware that everything we’re doing right now as DSA is either setting us up or not setting us up to be serious political players in the 2028 election,’ said Los Angeles-based member Frances Gill.
DSA held a closed door meeting during the convention to set up a process for potentially endorsing AOC for President.
Members believe that the endorsement outweighs the risks, because like Mamdani’s mayoral campaign did for New York City, it would get the DSA into regions of the country where they’ve never run serious candidates.
But despite being, arguably, the organization’s most famous member, Ocasio-Cortez has a somewhat fraught relationship with it.
The national organization withdrew its endorsement of her in 2024 over what they saw as not fulfilling conditions of being sufficiently anti-Israel.
The DSA has also caused recent controversy over a public push to abolish the Senate, one that Ocasio-Cortez shrugged off and refused to support.
The Daily Mail has reached out to Ocasio-Cortez and the DSA for comment.
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Members believe that the endorsement outweighs the risks, because like Mamdani’s mayoral campaign did for New York City, it would get the DSA into regions of the country where they’ve never run serious candidates
DSA’s national organization withdrew its endorsement of AOC in 2024 over what they saw as not fulfilling conditions of being sufficiently anti-Israel
Despite persistent speculation, AOC has been close-mouthed about the possibility of a presidential run. But she hasn’t ruled a bid out.
She told Fox News in late July she has ‘genuinely not really weighed seriously anything past the midterm elections.’
Many have speculated that Ocasio-Cortez will either seek the White House or Democrat leader Chuck Schumer’s Senate seat in 2028.
‘I think that I’m taking in this information just like anybody else,’ she added.
Ocasio-Cortez has also found herself influential within the party, scoring several recent victories of endorsed candidates.
She backed Mamdani, as well as Congressional winners Analilia Mejia and Adam Hamawy in New Jersey,
Ocasio-Cortez has also endorsed left-winger Abdul El-Sayed in Tuesday’s Michigan Senate primary.
Ultimately, whether the organization endorses or not, Ocasio-Cortez has not been at the front of the pack in Democratic Primary polls.
Former Vice President Kamala Harris remains the favorite in most Democrat Primary polls
Former Vice President and 2024 runner up Kamala Harris remains at the top of most surveys.
In a poll conducted by Big Data earlier this week, Harris is way out in front with 30 percent of the vote.
That has her double the tally of her California rival, Governor Gavin Newsom (ten percent) and triple that of Ocasio-Cortez (nine percent).
Harris leads the survey among black, white, Hispanic and Asian Democrats and Democrats under the age of 30 by impressive margins.
She even led Ocasio-Cortez by 26 points among self-identified Democratic Socialists.
Former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, Senators Jon Ossoff and Mark Kelly, as well as Governors Josh Shapiro and Andy Beshear were also part of the poll.
