New York socialists urge Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez to run for US president in 2028
NEW YORK — The New York City chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) formally called on US Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez to run for president in 2028, approving a resolution Saturday aimed at laying the groundwork for a potential White House campaign.
The resolution passed by a vote of 291 to 123, marking the latest effort by democratic socialist groups to encourage Ocasio-Cortez, a prominent figure in the movement, to seek the presidency.
Although the measure does not constitute an official endorsement, it outlines the chapter's intention to strengthen the democratic socialist movement and build support for a potential presidential campaign centered on working-class priorities.
Gustavo Gordillo, co-chair of the New York City DSA chapter, described the resolution as “a commitment to encouraging and building the foundation for a presidential campaign.”
Speaking at a news conference following the chapter's convention, Gordillo said the organization would work to establish the conditions for a campaign capable of advancing a working-class political agenda.
DSA chapters in Atlanta, Colorado, Los Angeles and Ithaca, New York, have previously adopted similar resolutions urging Ocasio-Cortez to enter the 2028 presidential race.
Across these resolutions, chapters have outlined policy priorities they want Ocasio-Cortez to champion, including an arms embargo on Israel, the abolition of US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Medicare for All and the Green New Deal.
However, the New York resolution faced opposition from some members who argued that Ocasio-Cortez had moved away from the organization's core principles and political priorities.
Others expressed concern that encouraging a presidential bid at this stage could create confusion ahead of a separate formal endorsement process.
Gordillo downplayed the disagreements, noting that the organization rarely reaches unanimous decisions and arguing that internal criticism can strengthen cooperation between the DSA and its elected representatives.
The congresswoman has previously faced disagreements with the organization over her political positions. In 2024, the national DSA withdrew its endorsement of Ocasio-Cortez, citing her failure to meet its requirements concerning the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
She renewed her DSA membership in August after allowing it to lapse.
The resolution comes amid a series of electoral victories by democratic socialist candidates, including New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani in 2025 and several candidates in the November 3, 2026, midterm elections.
Ocasio-Cortez has not announced whether she will seek the presidency. She previously said she would decide her next political move after the midterms and has been considering both a presidential and US Senate bid.
A spokesperson for the congresswoman did not respond to a request for comment on the resolution.
