Democrats have a very interesting 2028 strategy and the GOP is watching closely.
A potential 2028 political strategy is beginning to emerge among democratic socialist activists in New York, and it could put two nationally known Democratic figures at the center of major election battles.
Members of the Democratic Socialists of America have reportedly discussed encouraging Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez to run for president in 2028 while New York City Councilman Chi Ossé potentially seeks the U.S. Senate seat currently held by Sen. Chuck Schumer.
Neither Ocasio-Cortez nor Ossé has formally announced a 2028 campaign.
Still, recent events and comments from DSA members are offering an early look at how the progressive wing of the Democratic Party may be thinking about the next presidential election cycle.
Chi Ossé Tests His Appeal Beyond New York City
Ossé, a Brooklyn Democrat and DSA member, recently traveled outside New York City for political appearances in Buffalo and Kingston.
The trips drew attention because Ossé currently represents a local City Council district, making appearances hundreds of miles from his political base notable as speculation grows about his future.
During a Mid-Hudson Valley DSA gathering in Kingston, Ossé suggested that younger politicians should not necessarily wait for longtime officeholders to step aside before seeking higher positions.
“I think the era of wait-your-turn politics is over,” Ossé told the audience, according to Hell Gate.
He also argued that socialists should capitalize on what he sees as a favorable political moment.
“The time for us, the socialists, is right now,” Ossé said.
Hell Gate reported in August that members of New York City’s DSA circles had been discussing the possibility of Ossé seeking a U.S. Senate seat in 2028 if Ocasio-Cortez launches a presidential campaign.
The outlet followed that report in September by examining Ossé’s appearances in Buffalo and Kingston as speculation surrounding a statewide campaign continued.
Could Ossé Challenge Chuck Schumer?
The potential Senate contest would immediately attract national attention because Schumer has been one of the Democratic Party’s most prominent figures for decades.
Schumer’s current Senate term expires following the 2028 election.
No retirement decision or reelection campaign has been announced in connection with the reported DSA discussions, meaning it remains unclear what the New York Senate race will ultimately look like.
However, some democratic socialist activists are openly calling for a different direction within the party.
New York Assemblywoman Sarahana Shrestha, a DSA member who appeared with Ossé in Kingston, criticized moderate Democrats while discussing the political influence of major technology companies.
“We really need socialists leading the fight against big tech because I don’t trust moderate Democrats to do it,” Shrestha said.
Those comments highlight one of the divisions that could shape future Democratic primaries: whether the party continues relying heavily on established leaders or gives greater influence to its democratic socialist and progressive factions.
AOC Presidential Speculation Is Growing
Ocasio-Cortez is another central figure in the reported 2028 conversations.
Shrestha told Hell Gate that DSA organizers have been encouraging the New York congresswoman to consider seeking the presidency.
“DSA is openly trying to convince AOC that she should run,” Shrestha said.
That does not mean Ocasio-Cortez has decided to enter the race.
As of September 2026, she has not formally launched a 2028 presidential campaign.
The current reporting therefore points to discussions and organizing among activists rather than a finalized election strategy.
Even so, speculation surrounding Ocasio-Cortez’s future is likely to continue because of her high national profile and influence within the Democratic Party’s progressive wing.
Ossé Has Already Considered Higher Office
A possible Senate campaign would not be Ossé’s first look at moving beyond the New York City Council.
He previously began a congressional campaign against House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries before abandoning the effort.
The potential primary created disagreement within New York’s DSA organization.
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani reportedly urged members not to support the congressional challenge, arguing that an expensive Democratic primary could distract from other political priorities.
Ossé ultimately ended the campaign.
His political profile, however, has continued to grow.
Housing Law Put Ossé in the Spotlight
Ossé has attracted significant attention through housing legislation in New York City.
He sponsored the Fairness in Apartment Rental Expenses Act, better known as the FARE Act.
The measure changed how rental broker fees are handled in the city by generally requiring whoever hires a real estate broker to pay that broker’s fee.
Supporters argued that the change would reduce large upfront costs for renters.
Critics questioned whether landlords and property owners would simply pass additional expenses along through higher rents.
The debate helped make Ossé a recognizable figure beyond his Brooklyn council district and gave both supporters and critics a major policy record to examine if he eventually seeks statewide office.
Past Statements Could Receive Renewed Attention
Any campaign for statewide office would also bring greater scrutiny to Ossé’s previous public statements and political positions.
He has generated controversy over remarks involving race, Israel and religion, among other subjects.
Political opponents have already indicated that such statements would likely become part of a future campaign debate.
Veteran Democratic consultant Hank Sheinkopf told the New York Post that running statewide is substantially different from campaigning for a New York City Council seat.
“Statewide races are tough, they’re entirely different than working in the city,” Sheinkopf said.
Sheinkopf also argued that Ossé’s previous statements could become political liabilities.
That represents the consultant’s assessment rather than a demonstrated conclusion about how New York voters would respond in a future election.
Ossé’s Personal Background Could Also Draw Attention
Ossé’s biography could become another subject of debate if he launches a Senate campaign.
He attended Friends Seminary, a private school in Manhattan, and comes from a family with longstanding connections to the entertainment business.
His father worked as an entertainment attorney, while his grandfather was a Grammy-winning record producer.
Ossé has also appeared at high-profile cultural events and has connections with figures in entertainment.
Critics have previously contrasted that background with his democratic socialist economic views.
Supporters, meanwhile, point to his legislative record and advocacy on housing, public services and economic issues.
Democrats Could Face a Major Ideological Debate in 2028
The larger significance of these discussions goes beyond two possible campaigns.
They illustrate an ongoing debate over the future direction of the Democratic Party.
Longtime officials such as Schumer represent an established generation of Democratic leadership.
Ocasio-Cortez and Ossé represent a younger faction that advocates substantially more progressive economic policies and has close connections to democratic socialist organizations.
A direct primary battle between those wings of the party could become one of the most closely watched political stories of the 2028 election cycle.
But considerable uncertainty remains.
Ocasio-Cortez has not announced a presidential campaign.
Ossé has not announced a Senate campaign.
And the makeup of the 2028 Democratic field remains far from settled.
For now, what is clear is that some DSA activists are openly discussing a political future in which Ocasio-Cortez seeks the White House while Ossé pursues higher office in New York.
Ossé’s recent appearances outside New York City suggest he is interested in expanding his political reach, while public comments from DSA members show that conversations about 2028 are already underway.
Whether those discussions ultimately become official campaigns will be one of the developments to watch as the next presidential election cycle approaches.
