Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez is fueling fresh speculation about her political future as Democrats begin looking toward the 2028 presidential election and a potentially significant Senate race in New York.
Now, a provocative message from the New York Democrat’s campaign is attracting attention as questions grow about which path she could ultimately choose.
Ocasio-Cortez’s campaign recently sent supporters a fundraising email with the subject line, “Can’t have both. I’ve made my choice,” as reports indicate she is considering whether her next major campaign could be for the Senate or the White House.
The message comes as Ocasio-Cortez, 36, is increasingly being discussed as a potential 2028 Democratic presidential contender.
Puck recently reported that Ocasio-Cortez is “genuinely undecided” about her next political move and could make a decision within roughly six months.
One possibility would be a campaign for a New York Senate seat, potentially putting her on a collision course with Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer if he seeks another term.
The other option would be considerably more ambitious: bypassing the Senate entirely and launching a campaign for president in 2028.
Recent polling suggests Ocasio-Cortez could immediately become a significant contender in a crowded Democratic presidential primary.
A recent St. Anselm College poll placed her second among potential 2028 Democratic candidates, trailing former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg.
Another Echelon Insights survey conducted for Puck reportedly found Ocasio-Cortez with a 67 percent favorability rating among Democrats, although her favorability fell to 33 percent among voters overall.
“The moment couldn’t be hotter for her,” Democratic strategist Ashley Etienne told Puck. “The most ideal environment, in fact.”
Ocasio-Cortez has also appeared increasingly selective about the progressive candidates and causes she supports as her national profile continues to grow.
She stayed out of several recent Democratic primaries involving Democratic Socialists of America-backed challengers, including races in which progressives targeted incumbent or establishment Democrats.
That represents a noticeable evolution from the congresswoman who entered Washington after defeating powerful 10-term Democratic Rep. Joe Crowley in a stunning 2018 primary upset.
Ocasio-Cortez has also recently acknowledged some excesses associated with the progressive movement, telling ABC News’ Jonathan Karl that “Woke 1 was crazy,” while stopping short of repudiating her previous support for defunding police departments.
Her personal life has also attracted renewed attention after she revealed this month that she was freezing her eggs and described herself as being in “a reflective mood.”
Ocasio-Cortez suggested that major life decisions were being considered within “the larger context of our lives,” comments that came as speculation about her political ambitions intensified.
She has also reportedly ended her engagement to longtime fiancé Riley Roberts, with Puck reporting that the relationship ended approximately two years ago.
Meanwhile, a trusted former aide has returned to Ocasio-Cortez’s political operation.
Tanushri Shankar-Ross, described as a close friend and confidant who left Ocasio-Cortez’s office in 2023, returned to the team last month as the congresswoman considers her future.
Her operation remains led by chief of staff Mike Casca, a former senior aide to Sen. Bernie Sanders.
Timing could soon become important if Ocasio-Cortez chooses the presidential route.
Several prominent candidates in the 2020 Democratic presidential contest, including Kamala Harris, Pete Buttigieg and Tulsi Gabbard, announced their campaigns in January 2019.
A similar timetable for 2028 would put major decisions only months away.
Ocasio-Cortez has not publicly announced a campaign for either office, and the fundraising email does not confirm which direction she intends to take.
But with speculation surrounding both a Senate bid and a presidential run already intensifying, the message, “Can’t have both. I’ve made my choice,” is certain to keep Washington guessing about what AOC plans to do next.