A surge of enthusiasm has emerged among supporters of left-wing and progressive politics in the United States ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. Progressive activists have already begun an initiative to position New York Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez as a candidate for the 2028 presidential election. A political organization called “Ready for AOC” has launched a campaign to encourage her to run for the presidency.
The organization announced this initiative on Monday. Driven by volunteers, the campaign aims to urge Ocasio-Cortez to enter the race and to demonstrate that a large base of supporters is ready to mobilize on her behalf should she decide to run.
The organization stated that it intends to engage 10,000 local leaders and community organizers across the United States. Through this network, they plan to collect at least one million signatures in support of an Ocasio-Cortez presidential bid. So far, more than 500 local political and labor union leaders from 35 states have joined the initiative.
Ravi Sahay, a spokesperson for the organization, said, “Our goal is to build a robust grassroots movement structure for Ocasio-Cortez, should she decide to run for president. We also want to show her that there is a movement behind her capable of providing the momentum needed to win an election.”
Ravi Sahay has prior experience working with progressive politicians in New York, including newly elected Congresswoman Claire Valdez and New York City Council member Zohran Mamdani.
This is not the first effort to encourage Ocasio-Cortez to run for president; several other organizations are also working toward this end. Essentially, supporters are looking to solidify their positions well before the formal race to select the Democratic Party’s candidate for 2028 begins. Bipartisan support for Israel is waning in the United States, with some calling for stricter conditions on aid.
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez is frequently mentioned as a potential Democratic candidate for the 2028 election. Within the party, there is ongoing discussion about whether she might run for president or seek a Senate seat representing New York. She is one of the most recognizable figures in the Democratic Party; as a self-identified democratic socialist, she enjoys immense popularity among left-leaning supporters, while simultaneously serving as a frequent target for criticism from Republicans.
Ocasio-Cortez rose to national prominence in 2018 after pulling off a major upset by defeating a long-serving member of Congress. At that time, she became a founding member of “The Squad”—a group of progressive congresswomen from racial minority backgrounds.
In recent years, while maintaining her firm progressive stance, she has managed to improve her rapport with mainstream Democratic Party leaders. Nevertheless, some moderates within the party have urged her to shift away from left-wing politics, fearing that an emphasis on democratic socialism could diminish the party’s appeal to moderate voters.
Ocasio-Cortez is viewed as a successor to the progressive movement that took shape during Senator Bernie Sanders’ two presidential campaigns. Consequently, should she choose to run, she would likely begin with a robust base of support and a large network of small-dollar donors.
Furthermore, she has not ruled out the possibility of challenging New York Senator Chuck Schumer—a prospect that could prove highly appealing to Democrats who are dissatisfied with the party’s congressional leadership.
Ocasio-Cortez has indicated that she will consider a potential presidential bid following the midterm elections. A memorandum sent to supporters last week—covering her campaign activities, the candidates she endorsed, and her fundraising efforts during the midterm elections—also offered hints regarding her political future.
The document notes that supporters might be asked whether they would prefer to see her run for president, seek a Senate seat from New York, or continue her work in the House of Representatives. It suggests focusing on the themes outlined in the memo, emphasizing that Congresswoman Ocasio-Cortez will, as always, continue to seek ways to serve the greatest good for the greatest number of people.
The race for the 2028 Democratic presidential nomination is expected to be highly competitive. Supporters of Ro Khanna—another progressive member of Congress, from California—have already begun efforts to promote his candidacy for president, even establishing an organization called “Ready for Ro.”
Kat Leatherwood, a progressive political organizer in Atlanta, mentioned that she hosted an informal gathering in early October. By the end of the meeting, participants left with a renewed sense of enthusiasm for both Ocasio-Cortez and the cause of democratic socialism.
According to Leatherwood, an Ocasio-Cortez presidency would establish a “new standard” and foster a “new political environment.” She added, “It would show us that we can dare to dream even bigger.”
Source: The New York Times
