NYC DSA urges Ocasio-Cortez to run for president in 2028

The New York City chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America voted 291-123 to encourage Ocasio-Cortez to seek the White House. The resolution is not an endorsement, but chapter co-chair Gustavo Gordillo called it a commitment to building the groundwork for a campaign centered on working-class politics and a stronger socialist movement.

Ocasio-Cortez, who rejoined DSA in August, has not announced her plans. She has said she will choose her next political step once the midterm elections conclude and is weighing a presidential bid against a Senate run.

The vote followed debate, with some members arguing that Ocasio-Cortez had moved away from DSA priorities and that urging a campaign could muddy a later endorsement process. The national organization withdrew its endorsement of her in 2024 over its criteria concerning the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Gordillo said disagreement could coexist with cooperation.

Delegates also approved a resolution to build the capacity to challenge Gov. Kathy Hochul, Senators Kirsten Gillibrand and Chuck Schumer, along with other Democrats from the establishment. It calls for preparing to contest Senate races in 2028 and 2030, and New York’s governor and lieutenant governor races in 2030.

Other measures called for opposing AI expansion, pursuing a public bank, raising the city’s $17 minimum wage to $30 by 2030, and creating a job board and campaign staffing pipeline.

NYC Socialists Build Toward a Working-Class Presidential Campaign

New York City’s Democratic Socialists of America voted 291-123 to encourage Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez to seek the presidency, describing the effort as a way to build a campaign focused on working-class voters and expand the movement’s influence. The resolution is not an endorsement, but co-chair Gustavo Gordillo said the chapter would work to create the conditions for a campaign.

The vote also points toward challenges to Gov. Kathy Hochul, Senators Kirsten Gillibrand and Chuck Schumer, along with other Democrats from the establishment. The resolution calls for preparing to contest Senate races in 2028 and 2030, and the governor and lieutenant governor races in 2030. For DSA, organizing beyond election day is part of building the political infrastructure its agenda requires.

Some members argued Ocasio-Cortez had strayed from the group’s priorities and said the resolution could confuse a future endorsement process. In 2024, the national organization rescinded its backing of her over its criteria on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Gordillo said members could voice criticism while continuing to work together.

Other approved measures target issues the chapter wants to put on the political agenda: opposing AI expansion, establishing a public bank, raising the city minimum wage from $17 to $30 by 2030, and building campaign staffing resources. Ocasio-Cortez has said she will decide her next move after the midterms and is considering either a presidential or Senate run.

Socialists Press Ocasio-Cortez Toward a 2028 Presidential Bid

New York City’s Democratic Socialists of America has moved from urging Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez to run to building the groundwork for a 2028 campaign. The resolution passed 291-123, though it is not an endorsement. Co-chair Gustavo Gordillo described the effort as a way to advance a working-class political agenda and strengthen the movement.

The chapter also approved a plan to prepare challenges to Gov. Kathy Hochul, Senators Kirsten Gillibrand and Chuck Schumer, along with other Democrats from the establishment. It calls for contesting Senate races in 2028 and 2030 and New York’s governor and lieutenant governor races in 2030. The resolution says high-profile races can grow the organization and promote its agenda.

The vote was not unanimous. Some members said Ocasio-Cortez had strayed from DSA’s priorities and warned that urging a run could complicate a later endorsement. In 2024, the national organization rescinded its backing of her over its criteria concerning the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Gordillo argued that internal criticism and cooperation can go together.

The chapter’s other measures include opposition to AI expansion, a campaign for a public bank, and a proposed increase in the city minimum wage from $17 to $30 by 2030. Ocasio-Cortez has said she will choose her next political step after the midterms and is weighing a presidential run against a Senate bid.