NYC Democratic Socialists vote 291–123 to urge Ocasio-Cortez to run for president in 2028

The New York City chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) voted 291–123 at its annual convention in Midtown Manhattan on Saturday to formally urge Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez to run for president of the United States in 2028. Some 438 delegates attended. The resolution is not a formal endorsement by the national organisation, but it commits the roughly 15,000-member New York chapter to actively encouraging her candidacy and laying the groundwork for a potential campaign.

Chapter has nearly tripled since Mamdani's campaign

The convention followed a strong showing by DSA-endorsed candidates in the midterm elections. Co-chair Gustavo Gordillo told Al Jazeera that if the United States can elect Donald Trump, it can also elect democratic socialists. The chapter has nearly tripled in size since Zohran Mamdani's campaign for New York mayor. Fellow co-chair Grace Mausser said a proposed presidential platform would focus on affordability, including housing, healthcare and childcare.

Plans also to challenge Hochul, Gillibrand and Schumer

Delegates also approved plans to build statewide campaign infrastructure to contest races against Governor Kathy Hochul and Senators Kirsten Gillibrand and Chuck Schumer in coming election cycles. Ocasio-Cortez, a longtime member of the New York chapter, has not committed to a run; she has said she will decide her next political move after the midterms, weighing a presidential bid against a possible challenge for a U.S. Senate seat.

What happens next

The vote adds to mounting efforts on the left to persuade Ocasio-Cortez to run, following debate inside the national DSA over a possible endorsement and the launch of an independent draft campaign, 'Ready for AOC'. The chapter has yet to finalise a national presidential platform; the resolution says a campaign would offer a chance to keep crafting a platform that engages the working class. Whether she accepts the urging is an early bellwether for the direction of the 2028 Democratic primary.

(File photo: U.S. Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. Image: DW)