Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez said she was flattered by recent polling that places her among the leading Democratic contenders for a possible presidential nomination in 2028. The New York progressive has faced renewed speculation in recent months about whether she wants to pursue higher office, after a survey in a battleground state put her at the top of the field. She responded to the attention by saying she was grateful for public support while stressing the need for decisions aimed at the country’s interests. Poll Places Ocasio-Cortez Ahead In New HampshireAccording to a Granite State Poll published on July 22, conducted by the States of Opinion Project at the University of New Hampshire, Ocasio-Cortez moved ahead of former Transport Secretary Pete Buttigieg in prospective match-ups among 648 likely Democratic primary voters. In that survey, she took first place, according to the results reported by the poll organisers. Ocasio-Cortez told a reporter that she felt “flattered” and “humbled” by the findings, adding that she did not want to discount the support people had shown her. She also said she wanted politics to focus on what she described as putting the country first. Emerson Survey Shows Ocasio-Cortez Near TopOther polling has also indicated that she is among the candidates Democrats could consider for the nomination. In a poll by Emerson College published this month, Buttigieg was listed as the top choice. The survey put California Governor Gavin Newsom, Georgia Senator Jon Ossoff and Ocasio-Cortez just behind him, indicating they were also in contention for support. Ocasio-Cortez has not ruled out a presidential run in 2028, she said in an interview with Politico earlier this week, where she indicated she had not closed the door on the possibility. Response To Vice President JD VanceOcasio-Cortez’s status in Democratic planning has also been reflected in comments by Vice President JD Vance, who is widely seen as a potential frontrunner for the Republican nomination in 2028. In recent remarks, Vance said he believed Ocasio-Cortez would be the leading candidate for the Democratic Party in the next election cycle. After reporters asked her about his assessment, Ocasio-Cortez said she hoped Vance would be the nominee as well. In May, she also addressed assumptions about her political aims, saying critics tended to frame her ambition as a desire for a particular title or seat. She said her ambition was broader and focused on changing the country. Join the discussion? 29 July 2026
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