Socialist Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) is seeking a key role in the House of Representatives while also reportedly planning a 2028 presidential run.
Ocasio-Cortez is looking to take the role of ranking member of the House Oversight Committee, telling reporters earlier this week that she is “interested” in seeking this key position and has been in discussions with House leadership to obtain it.
The radical leftist congresswoman currently holds the position of second ranking Democrat on the committee, but she has much more publicity and media attention than the current ranking member, Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-MA).
The Post Millennial noted, “She is only 35 but her national audience outstrips that of many seasoned Democratic politicians, but Ocasio-Cortez has not made any public indication that she will run for the presidency.”
Many have suggested that Ocasio-Cortez’s ultimate goal in seeking to raise her status in the House of Representatives is to position herself for a presidential run in 2028 — especially as many people on both sides of the aisle have identified her as one of their only stars. While Republicans have a massive back bench filled with numerous candidates to run in 2028 — including Vice President-elect JD Vance, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, and Vivek Ramaswamy — Democrats really only have two major figures that could even try to compete: Ocasio-Cortez and California Gov. Gavin Newsom.
In order to become more competitive in the 2028 Democrat Primary, Ocasio-Cortez would likely need to raise her profile with a bigger role in the House, which is exactly what the position of ranking member of the House Oversight Committee would do. However, she has competition for the role, as Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-VA) has already put his name in contention.
Meanwhile, the current House Oversight Committee ranking member is reportedly looking for a promotion, which leaves the role open for Connolly and Ocasio-Cortez to compete. Raskin is reportedly looking to replace Rep. Jerry Nadler (D-NY) on the House Judiciary Committee, and has already been endorsed by Nadler, who has chosen to retire from the position.
