Dem
47
GOP
53
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) has been in the House for 7 years now and has learned a lot in that time. In particular, she has learned how to address moderates and how to become a major player in Democratic politics. She is a much-sought-after speaker, even in districts that are not progressive. In any district, her blue-collar bona fides are a valuable asset, especially since Democrats are making affordability a big part of their 2026 pitch.
House candidates in many districts are coming to her—not to party leaders—to get cues on how to get their message across. They now regard her instincts as sharper than those of consultants who have run focus groups. She is no longer an outsider no one listens to. She is definitely mainstream now. Even someone like Mary Peltola in Alaska, who disagrees with AOC on most issues, wants her advice.
Ocasio-Cortez doesn't have much foreign policy experience, but she is working on that. Next week she will speak at the Munich Security Conference where she will present her views on world affairs. She is expected to present a different view than Donald Trump's view that might makes right and the world should be divided into three sectors, with the U.S. bullying the Western Hemisphere, Russia bullying Europe, and China bullying Asia.
More and more Democrats are talking about what she will do in 2028. No one expects her to stay in the House. Her choices are running for president, which would give her vast publicity in what would almost certainly be a losing run, or challenging Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY), a race about which polls say she would be the favorite. If she were to announce a Senate run after the midterms, Schumer might even "decide" to retire rather than face an ignominious defeat by a young woman. Given AOC's young age (currently 36), she could spend a few years in the Senate to gain more experience and gravitas, and then run for president in 2032 (if a Republican wins in 2028) or in 2036 (if a Democrat wins in 2028). She is no doubt aware of the parallels with Barack Obama, who had been in the Senate only 4 years before being elected president in 2008. In any event, she has become a force to be reckoned with. (V)