Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s latest campaign video is stirring whispers of a 2028 presidential bid. The New York Democrat, alongside Sen. Bernie Sanders, has been crisscrossing the nation on their "Fighting Oligarchy" tour, rallying crowds with progressive rhetoric. Her rising star within the Democratic Party has conservatives watching closely.
Fox News reported that the tour, which included stops at Arizona State University on March 20, 2025, and Bakersfield, California, on April 15, 2025, showcases Ocasio-Cortez’s growing influence as she fuels speculation about her presidential ambitions with a record-breaking fundraising haul and a campaign-style video posted on X.
Ocasio-Cortez spoke at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago on August 19, 2024, further elevating her national profile. The video, filmed on a campaign-style stage in Idaho, has Americans reposting it on X, with many seeing it as a clear signal of her 2028 intentions.
Ocasio-Cortez’s favorability among New York voters stands at 47%, according to a Siena College poll conducted April 14-16, 2025. In contrast, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer’s favorability lags at 39% in the same poll.
Schumer faced backlash from Democrats in March 2025 for backing a Republican budget bill supported by President Donald Trump, which avoided a government shutdown.
The congresswoman raised an impressive $9.6 million over the past three months from 266,000 individual donors, with an average donation of $21. This financial muscle underscores her ability to mobilize grassroots support, a key asset for any potential presidential contender.
Her campaign’s message of unity, encapsulated in her statement, “We are one,” resonates with her base.
Nate Silver, founder of FiveThirtyEight, named Ocasio-Cortez as the leading Democrat for the 2028 presidential nomination earlier this month.
Silver’s prediction, made alongside FiveThirtyEight’s Galen Druke, points to her broad appeal across the Democratic Party. Druke noted that Ocasio-Cortez has “a lot of points in her favor at this very moment.”
Eric Daugherty, a political commentator, declared, “Get ready, America,” predicting that Ocasio-Cortez will “almost undoubtedly” run for president in 2028. The congresswoman herself expressed gratitude for the support, saying she is thankful for the “millions of people” backing her efforts. Her ability to draw crowds and funds has sparked concern among conservatives about her growing influence.
The "Fighting Oligarchy" tour with Sanders has drawn criticism from some quarters for its hypocrisy. Political strategist Colin Reed pointed out the irony of Ocasio-Cortez and Sanders positioning themselves as “climate warriors” while jetting across the country, emitting significant carbon emissions. Reed argued that such contradictions could alienate voters.
Reed also cautioned that Ocasio-Cortez’s ideas are “way too outside the mainstream” to win a nationwide election.
He suggested that her vision of transforming America into a European-style, government-heavy system clashes with the nation’s founding principles of limited government. This perspective resonates with conservatives wary of her progressive agenda.
Still, Reed acknowledged that Ocasio-Cortez should not be underestimated by Democrats opposing her ambitions, whether for a Senate seat or the presidency. He noted that the Democratic Party currently faces a “vacuum in leadership,” allowing figures like Ocasio-Cortez to dominate the conversation. This lack of strong leadership, Reed argued, creates “chaos” that she is capitalizing on.
Within the Democratic Party, tensions are evident. DNC vice chair David Hogg’s group, Leaders We Deserve, invested $20 million to elect younger Democrats to safe House seats, drawing criticism from the DNC this week. Ocasio-Cortez, at 35, aligns with this push for younger leadership, further boosting her prominence.
Joe Caiazzo, a political analyst, described Ocasio-Cortez as one of a few Democrats “test ballooning” a potential 2028 presidential run. He highlighted her focus on economic populism, a lane she shares with Sanders. Caiazzo noted that their nationwide tour has generated “clear energy” among supporters.
Ocasio-Cortez’s appeal in places like Idaho, where she remarked, “I’m a girl from the Bronx,” underscores her ability to connect with diverse audiences.
She emphasized a “common cause” that she believes unites Americans. This messaging, while effective with her base, raises concerns among conservatives about her potential to sway moderate voters.
Reed warned that Ocasio-Cortez’s base-driven message, while appealing to some Democrats, is unlikely to resonate with the majority of Americans. He argued that most voters reject the idea of an “overbearing, overreaching government.” This sentiment aligns with conservative values of individual liberty and limited federal power.
The congresswoman’s rapid rise, fueled by her fundraising prowess and media savvy, poses a challenge for Republicans. Her ability to rally supporters at a “record scale,” as she put it, signals a formidable organizing capacity. Conservatives are taking note, wary of her potential to reshape the Democratic Party’s direction.