AOC won't rule out challenging Senate leader Chuck Schumer
Progressive congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez declined to rule out a 2028 run against Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer, even if Democrats retake the Senate majority.
Democratic congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez has declined to rule out challenging Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer when his current term ends in 2028, telling the New York Times she would not exclude the possibility even if Democrats win back a Senate majority.
The 36-year-old said a Democratic Senate majority would be "the best possible problem" the country could have, adding that she would decide on further steps when the time comes. She stressed that any decision on her political future would be personal rather than based on deference to party hierarchy.
Rising profile
Ocasio-Cortez, who unseated a senior Democratic incumbent in 2018 to win her House seat representing part of New York City, has long been floated as a potential Schumer challenger and even as a 2028 presidential contender. Her progressive platform has found strong support among younger voters, women and Hispanic voters, according to recent New York Times/Siena University polling. She has also become a prominent voice rallying opposition to Donald Trump.
Since 2025 she has raised more than $32m for her campaign, and Federal Election Commission data show she had over $15m in cash on hand as of June 2026.
At the same time, she remains a polarizing figure: about 41% of likely voters and 75% of Republicans view her unfavorably, making her a frequent target of Republican attacks, including from the president. Ocasio-Cortez acknowledged the added scrutiny she faces as a woman and a Latina under what she described as a regressive administration, as well as ongoing debate over her electability.
A survey earlier this year by the liberal firm Data for Progress found 55% of likely Democratic voters would support Ocasio-Cortez, compared with just 36% for Schumer.
