House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries praised Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, saying "the sky's the limit" for her as she weighs a 2028 presidential bid or a potential Senate challenge to Chuck Schumer. Recent polls show AOC with strong favorability among New York Democrats and double-digit national support in some surveys. Jeffries said he will remain focused on reclaiming the House rather than getting involved in the presidential contest.
Jeffries Says "Sky's The Limit" For AOC As She Weighs 2028 Options
Mar 20, 2025; Tempe, AZ, USA; Sen. Bernie Sanders and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez wave to supporters during their’ Fighting Oligarchy’ rally at Mullett Arena in Tempe; Mandatory credit: Diannie Chavez-USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
WASHINGTON — House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries stopped short of endorsing any 2028 contender but offered high praise for Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, saying "the sky's the limit" for the New York progressive as she contemplates a presidential run or a possible challenge to Sen. Chuck Schumer.
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries sits down with USA TODAY for an exclusive on-camera interview in Washington, D.C., on Oct. 1, 2026.
Jeffries told USA TODAY he expects a large and competitive Democratic field in 2028 and declined to steer Ocasio-Cortez toward any particular path, instead focusing on his role leading House Democrats.
Former U.S. Ambassador to Japan and Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel(Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)
"Alex has done a tremendous job championing a whole host of issues of great importance to both New Yorkers and to the nation. I think the sky's the limit for her in terms of how she decides to move forward," Jeffries said. "She's going to have to make that decision ... and it will be big news when she does."
Polls And Possibilities
Ocasio-Cortez, 36, recently completed a listening tour across upstate New York, a trip that intensified speculation she might challenge Schumer, 75, who has represented New York in the Senate since 1999. A recent Quinnipiac University poll found Ocasio-Cortez had a 66% favorability rating among New York Democrats and a 46% approval rating statewide. By comparison, Schumer's statewide approval was 34% while he retained a 56% favorability among Democrats.
Georgia Sen. Jon Ossoff(Jack Gruber, USA TODAY)
On the national stage, AOC is one of a handful of potential Democrats to reach double digits in some surveys. A late-September Harvard-Harris poll gave her 12% support among Democrats — ahead of Pete Buttigieg (11%) and behind California Gov. Gavin Newsom (17%). Former Vice President Kamala Harris led that survey with 38%.
"It's very all or nothing," Ocasio-Cortez told The New York Times about the stakes of a potential presidential bid. "If I were to run in this cycle, and not win, I would be done."
Jeffries' Priorities
Jeffries — who has made clear his ambitions for the House speakership — emphasized he is not entering the presidential sweepstakes and is concentrating on winning back the House majority. "I am not getting involved in the presidential sweepstakes right now," he told USA TODAY, adding that the party's primary will be a "robust discussion."
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY.
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