Democratic lawmaker Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, popularly known by her initials ‘AOC’, has sparked speculations that she may be contemplating a run for US Presidency in 2028, Fox News reported, quoting a Republican strategist.
In her latest jab against Vice President JD Vance, who may also be running for the top job, AOC, who serves as the US representative for New York’s 14th congressional district, said she would “stomp” over him in the hypothetical contest.
AOC’s comments came after a recent Verasight poll showed her narrowly ahead of Vance, 51% to 49%, in a hypothetical 2028 matchup. Her first response was “Bloop!”
Bloop! https://t.co/By2kl8LnWY
— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) December 17, 2025
When asked by a reporter if she thought she could defeat Vance, she replied: “Listen, these polls, like three years out, are, you know, they are what they are. But let the record show: I would stomp him. I would stomp him!”
‘AOC may be running a campaign based on vibes’
Republican political strategist Libby Krieger told Fox News that AOC’s campaign may run a “vibes-based” contest to woo the GenZ audience. “This is because a lot of her substance is soundbites or progressive policies,” Krieger added.
Is AOC running for presidency?
Even as the Democrat has made her mark with the younger population with her progressive stance on several issues, AOC has not formally confirmed her candidature and neither has Vance. Vance’s possible candidacy comes into the picture as US President Donald Trump is constitutionally barred from seeking a third term in 2028, this being his second term in office.
Vance, who is seen as a potential successor to Trump, earlier said in an interview with NBC News, that he doesn’t feel “entitled” to a presidential run in 2028.
Charlie Kirk’s widow Erika backs Vance
Even as Vance hasn’t made any formal announcement, late conservative activist Charlie Kirk’s widow Erika Kirk has backed his hypothetical candidacy. “We are going to get my husband’s friend JD Vance elected for 48 in the most resounding way possible,” Kirk said on Thursday at Turning Point USA’s annual youth conference in Phoenix, with a reference to what will be the 48th US presidency.
Vance was a frequent guest on Charlie Kirk’s podcast, and Kirk campaigned for Vance when he ran for US Senate representing Ohio in 2022. Since Kirk was shot to death in September at an event on a Utah university campus, Vance has hosted Kirk’s podcast and made a tour stop for Turning Point at the University of Mississippi, according to CBC News.
Erika’s endorsement also comes at a moment when her public embrace of Vance drew significant attention, with online users speculating about tensions in Vance’s marriage to Usha. Both Vance and Kirk have firmly denied the rumours.