Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez told ABC's This Week on Aug. 9 that she has not ruled out a 2028 presidential bid while stressing the importance of prioritizing the midterm elections. She said a possible challenge to Sen. Chuck Schumer "is possible at this juncture" and framed her remarks within a broader progressive renewal in the Democratic Party. AOC also revealed she froze her eggs and linked the disclosure to efforts to normalize reproductive choices amid shrinking access to care.
AOC Says She Hasn't Ruled Out 2028 Presidential Bid, Discusses Egg Freezing and Democratic Renewal
Former U.S. Ambassador to Japan and Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel(Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez told ABC News' This Week on Aug. 9 that she has not ruled out running for president in 2028, and during the interview she also discussed her decision to freeze her eggs, which she announced on social media a day earlier.
Asked by host Jonathan Karl about a July University of New Hampshire poll that placed her atop the potential 2028 Democratic primary field in that state, Ocasio-Cortez responded, "I haven't ruled out the possibility, and I'm very humbled by the tremendous amount of support out there." She added that lawmakers have "a responsibility to remain focused on the midterms and not on our individual aspirations or plans."
Georgia Sen. Jon Ossoff(Jack Gruber, USA TODAY)
When asked whether she would consider challenging fellow New York Democrat and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, who is up for re-election in 2028, Ocasio-Cortez—often called AOC—said "anything is possible at this juncture."
Progressive Momentum and Party Renewal
Ocasio-Cortez framed the conversation about potential presidential ambitions within a larger moment of change for the Democratic Party. She pointed to the recent primary victory of progressive Democrat Abdul El-Sayed over Rep. Haley Stevens—an outcome that highlighted rising influence from the party's progressive wing.
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., speaks with reporters on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC, on July 22, 2026.
"We are in a time of renewal for the Democratic Party," Ocasio-Cortez said. "There is an ascendance of a young, inspiring electorate and an energizing wave of candidates that inject new energy and add tools to our efforts to win in November."
She praised newly elected progressives for their independence, saying they "answer to no master," are not "beholden to corporate interests or party bosses," and can therefore remain responsive to the communities that elected them.
On Reproductive Choice: Why She Shared Her Decision
Ocasio-Cortez also addressed her decision to freeze her eggs, which she shared on her Instagram Stories on Aug. 8. She said she disclosed the choice "to show more depictions of women having full lives in every context and every choice."
Linking her personal decision to the political climate, she noted that threats to reproductive care nationwide informed her decision to speak openly. "In this political environment where this administration is denying reproductive care to women across the country—from abortion rights to the ability to carry out a healthy pregnancy—I think it's important for us as leaders to have these conversations and normalize these processes, especially for working women," she said.
What Comes Next
Ocasio-Cortez emphasized prioritizing the upcoming midterm elections while acknowledging ongoing speculation about future runs for higher office. Her comments reflect both personal openness to possibilities and a public focus on building momentum for Democratic candidates at the state and national levels.
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