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Socialist Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) will spend the final weeks before the midterms building credibility with New York Democrats, a move that could help her lay the groundwork for a U.S. Senate run in 2028.
Ocasio-Cortez plans to dish out $300,000 to Democrats throughout the state and plans to travel “across the state to boost turnout in many different areas.” The funds will go toward a group run by Democratic Governor Kathy Hochul to conduct voter organization activities, The New York Times reported.
“This investment is really not just about throwing money around and putting points on the board,” she told The Times. “This is actually about transforming the way Democrats go about building a coalition.”
Ocasio-Cortez stipulated that half of the money will be designated toward Spanish-speaking voters. In addition to the spending, Ocasio-Cortez will travel to Buffalo, Syracuse, and Ithaca in support of Democrat candidates.
“I’m more than happy to go wherever I’m needed,” she said.
The New York representative’s efforts to back the state party could signal an effort to strengthen ties with statewide Democrats ahead of a 2028 Senate run. It has long been reported that she has been considering challenging Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) when his current term ends.
In the past, Ocasio-Cortez has openly criticized party leadership in New York. After Democrat losses in 2022, she said that the party was “based on big money and old-school, calcified machine-style politics that creates a very anemic voting base that is disengaged and disenfranchised.”
This election cycle, she sees races across New York as paramount to “whether we have a majority or not in the House of Representatives.”
Races across New York could determine the next party to control the House as Republicans face political headwinds across the country. Both parties are pouring resources into defending their current seats and targeting potential flips. Rep. Mike Lawler (R-NY) faces a competitive challenge from Democrat Cait Conley while Republicans are attempting to pick up a seat in Long Island.
Ocasio-Cortez said she would be considering her next path after the midterms as she has also been floated as a possible 2028 presidential contender.
“I’ve been pretty open about the fact that I’m going to be weighing this decision, but I’m going to be weighing it after the midterm elections,” she said.
