Ocasio-Cortez Takes The Lead
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) has moved into first place in a new poll of potential 2028 Democratic presidential candidates, signaling continued strength for the party’s progressive wing as Democrats begin looking toward the next White House race.
According to the latest Granite State Poll conducted by the University of New Hampshire Survey Center, Ocasio-Cortez received support from 22 percent of likely Democratic primary voters in New Hampshire. Former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg followed closely with 21 percent, while Sen. Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.) finished a distant third with 9 percent.
Although the election is still years away, early polling in New Hampshire often attracts national attention because the state has historically played a major role in presidential primary contests.
AOC Overtakes Buttigieg
The new survey marks a significant shift from previous polling.
Last October, Buttigieg led the Democratic field with 19 percent support, while California Gov. Gavin Newsom followed with 15 percent. At the time, Ocasio-Cortez received 14 percent.
By February, Buttigieg remained on top at 20 percent, with Newsom and Ocasio-Cortez tied at 15 percent each.
The latest results show Ocasio-Cortez climbing to first place, narrowly edging out Buttigieg and widening the gap over the rest of the potential Democratic field.
Progressive Wing Continues To Gain Influence
Ocasio-Cortez’s rise reflects the growing influence of progressive Democrats within the party.
Over the past year, several candidates aligned with the progressive movement have gained national attention by challenging longtime Democratic leaders and establishment-backed politicians. Their campaigns have energized many younger Democratic voters while also sparking debate about the party’s future direction.
One of the most closely watched figures has been New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, whose high-profile campaign has made him one of the Democratic Party’s most discussed rising stars.
Political observers say the latest New Hampshire poll may further fuel discussions about whether the Democratic Party will continue moving toward its progressive base heading into the 2028 election cycle.
Speculation About Schumer Challenge
Ocasio-Cortez has also been mentioned as a possible challenger to Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) when his Senate seat is next up for election.
Those rumors intensified after several progressive and democratic socialist candidates won notable Democratic primary victories earlier this summer, leading some activists to call for new leadership within the party.
While Ocasio-Cortez has not announced plans to challenge Schumer or launch a presidential campaign, her standing in early polling is likely to keep speculation alive.
Previous Polling Against JD Vance
In December, Ocasio-Cortez highlighted separate polling that suggested she would defeat Vice President JD Vance in a hypothetical 2028 presidential matchup.
Although hypothetical surveys conducted years before an election are far from predictive, they often provide an early snapshot of candidate name recognition and enthusiasm among voters.
How The Poll Was Conducted
The University of New Hampshire Survey Center conducted the Granite State Poll between July 15 and July 20.
Researchers surveyed 648 likely Democratic presidential primary voters in New Hampshire. The poll has a margin of sampling error of plus or minus 3.8 percentage points, meaning the results represent a snapshot of voter opinion rather than a definitive forecast.
What It Means For Democrats
The 2028 Democratic presidential race remains in its earliest stages, and no major candidate has officially entered the contest. Even so, the latest New Hampshire poll suggests that Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez has become one of the party’s most influential national figures.
Whether that early momentum translates into a presidential campaign remains to be seen, but her rise underscores the ongoing debate over the Democratic Party’s future direction as progressive and establishment leaders compete for influence.
