Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez has emerged as the frontrunner in a new poll of potential Democratic presidential candidates for the 2028 election, although she emphasized that she has not decided whether to run for the White House.

Why it matters: It is the first time a Latina politician has led a Democratic presidential preference poll with a clear advantage, bringing renewed attention to Hispanic representation in national politics.

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez 2028 Poll Puts Her Ahead of Top Democratic Contenders

According to the Granite State Poll conducted by the University of New Hampshire, Ocasio-Cortez received 22%support among likely Democratic voters, an increase of seven percentage points since February.

With that result, she edged out former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, who received 21%, and finished well ahead of former Vice President Kamala Harris, who received 5%. California Governor Gavin Newsom also saw his support decline compared with the previous survey.

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Although New Hampshire no longer officially holds the Democratic Party’s first presidential primary, the state continues to be viewed as an important early indicator of voter enthusiasm in the opening stages of a presidential race.

By the numbers:

  • Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez: 22%
  • Pete Buttigieg: 21%
  • Kamala Harris: 5%

The takeaway: Ocasio-Cortez was the only leading potential candidate to post a significant increase in support compared with February.

She Has Not Announced a Presidential Campaign

 

Despite the poll results, Ocasio-Cortez declined to present the survey as the beginning of a presidential campaign.

When asked by Fox News Digital whether she would like to become the Democratic nominee in 2028, she said she has not seriously considered the possibility because her current focus remains on the 2026 midterm elections.

«I’m still processing this information like everyone else,» she said. When asked about the survey’s findings, she added that voters themselves were in the best position to interpret the results.

The bottom line: Ocasio-Cortez has not announced a presidential campaign or confirmed that she intends to run in 2028.

What’s next: The 2026 congressional elections remain the Democratic Party’s immediate political priority before the presidential race formally begins.

Could the U.S. Elect Its First Latina President?

Beyond the poll itself, Ocasio-Cortez’s rise carries broader political significance by once again placing a Latina woman among the Democratic Party’s most prominent national figures.

The congresswoman, whose mother is Puerto Rican, has become one of the best-known leaders of the party’s progressive wing and represents a younger, increasingly diverse electorate that has gained influence within Democratic politics.

For many Hispanic voters, her leadership symbolizes a level of representation that has historically been limited in presidential politics.

However, a potential White House bid would likely face significant challenges.

While progressives have welcomed her growing political influence, more moderate Democratic leaders continue to disagree over the electoral strategy needed to win back independent voters and key battleground states.

The key difference: Her strength among progressive voters could also become her greatest challenge with moderate and swing voters.

Who it affects: The discussion is especially relevant to the nearly 40 million Hispanic Americans eligible to vote, a voting bloc that continues to play an increasingly decisive role in national elections.

For now, there is no official campaign and no declared candidacy. What is clear is that Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez 2028 has become a major topic of political discussion after she led a Democratic presidential poll for the first time and declined to rule out a future White House run.

Is this the beginning of a historic candidacy?