New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani is quietly positioning himself as a key figure in the upcoming battle for the 2028 Democratic presidential nomination. The socialist mayor, who cannot run for president himself due to not being a natural-born U.S. citizen, has been holding private meetings with labor leaders. In these discussions, he is highlighting the importance of having a union-aligned or left-wing candidate to lead the party’s ticket.
These behind-the-scenes efforts come as Mamdani reportedly remains uncertain about whether his close political ally, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, will seek the White House. According to Axios, which first reported the developments, Mamdani is concerned that if Ocasio-Cortez stays out of the race, progressives may lack a standard-bearer to challenge a more centrist frontrunner in the primary.
Mamdani, who is viewed as a major powerbroker for the left wing of the Democratic Party following his historic 2025 mayoral victory, argues that the movement cannot waste its momentum. This sentiment follows last week’s midterm elections, in which Democrats secured a massive majority in the House and took control of the Senate. A source familiar with the mayor’s conversations told Axios that he wants the progressive ecosystem to mobilize quickly, strategically, and efficiently if a moderate candidate begins to rise in the polls.
Meanwhile, Ocasio-Cortez is publicly downplaying speculation about a presidential campaign or a bid for the Senate. She told reporters on Monday night that the last thing voters want to hear from politicians is about the next election. Instead, she emphasized that the public is eager to know what actions the party will take with the electoral results they just received on Tuesday.
Her comments came shortly after the formal launch of Ready for AOC, a newly formed group of activists urging her to run for president. The group described itself on social media as a people-powered movement asking for her candidacy, noting that it involves no campaign infrastructure, no money, and just names. Ocasio-Cortez, who was re-elected last week to a fifth term representing parts of New York City, stated that voters are less concerned with the horse race and more interested in the investigations and legislation Democrats will initiate.
Veteran Democratic strategist David Plouffe, who managed Barack Obama’s 2008 campaign and advised Kamala Harris in 2024, commented on the open field during a forum hosted by Harvard University’s Institute of Politics. He suggested that if Ocasio-Cortez runs, she would likely start with 20 to 25 percent of support. He added that if she does not run, the field remains wide open, potentially opening the door for others, such as Sen.-elect Abdul El-Sayed of Michigan, to consider a bid.
El-Sayed made history last week as the first Muslim elected to the U.S. Senate. Plouffe noted that the race is so unpredictable that some candidates may surprise the public by running, while others may surprise them by staying out. Ocasio-Cortez has said she is weighing her options, including a White House run or a bid for the Senate seat currently held by Minority Leader Chuck Schumer.
In a September fundraising email, the 37-year-old lawmaker acknowledged the frequent speculation about her 2028 plans. She told the New York Times two months ago that her decision would hinge on where she believes she can do the most good. Schumer, who turns 76 later this month, has also left his 2028 plans open, not yet announcing whether he will run for a sixth term.
Ocasio-Cortez is not the only prominent progressive considering a presidential run. Rep. Ro Khanna of California, a top House progressive, is also mulling a bid. Allies of the soon-to-be six-term congressman launched a draft committee called Run Ro last week. The group aims to build support and raise funds for a potential 2028 presidential campaign.
