New York Democratic Socialists formally call on Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez to run for president in 2028

Although the resolution does not constitute an official endorsement, it marks the latest effort by democratic socialist groups to encourage Ocasio-Cortez, a leading figure in the movement, to seek the presidency.

It comes following a string of democratic socialist victories in several high-profile US races, including New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani last year and, on Nov. 3, six members of the House of Representatives and the mayor of Los Angeles.

Gustavo Gordillo, co-chair of the New York City DSA chapter, said the resolution was intended to lay the groundwork for a potential presidential campaign.

Speaking at a news conference following the chapter's convention, Gordillo said the group would work to strengthen the democratic socialist movement and establish the conditions for a presidential bid focused on 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.

The resolutions also outline key policy priorities that the chapters want her to pursue, including an arms embargo on Israel, the abolition of US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), the introduction of Medicare for all, and implementation of the Green New Deal.

A spokesperson for Ocasio-Cortez, who renewed her DSA membership in August after allowing it to lapse, did not respond to a request for comment.

The resolution presents a potential presidential campaign by Ocasio-Cortez as an opportunity to advocate for working-class voters while strengthening the DSA’s influence at the national level.

The measure was approved by a vote of 291 to 123, despite objections from some members who argued that Ocasio-Cortez had moved away from the group’s core principles and political priorities.

Opponents also raised concerns that encouraging her presidential bid at this stage could create confusion ahead of a separate formal endorsement process.

Ocasio-Cortez has previously faced disagreements with the organization over her political positions. In 2024, the national DSA withdrew its endorsement of the congresswoman, citing her failure to meet the group’s requirements concerning the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.