Progressive group launches draft-AOC campaign for 2028 presidential race

A new volunteer-led progressive group called Ready for AOC launched on Monday to urge Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez to run for president in 2028. The effort is entirely independent of Ocasio-Cortez, who has not yet announced whether she will seek the presidency.

By Monday afternoon the group had already collected 4,000 signatures supporting a presidential bid. More than 500 local activists across 35 states have joined as organizers.

“My ambition is to change this country. Presidents come and go. Senate, House seats, elected officials come and go.”

The campaign aims to gather 10,000 organizers and volunteers nationwide and secure one million pledges of support. Organizers hope the show of backing will convince Ocasio-Cortez to run.

Spokesperson Ravi Sahai said the group had quietly organized since September, holding house meetings in communities to outline the project. He described Ocasio-Cortez as the natural successor to Senator Bernie Sanders as a prominent nationwide socialist.

Field director Hannah Kessel told MS NOW that voters have reason to hope after the midterm elections and that the group wants to engage people in that vision. Organizers hope Ocasio-Cortez will decide by spring 2027, at which point the group plans to dissolve.

Ocasio-Cortez has previously said she would decide after the midterms whether to run for president or challenge Senator Chuck Schumer for his Senate seat. In May she declined to give a definitive answer, saying her ambition is to change the country rather than win a title or seat.