Queens Elected Officials Back Ocasio-Cortez for 2028 Presidential Run
Following a record night for democratic socialists, local leaders in Astoria and Queens signaled support for a potential presidential bid by the congresswoman.
By Christopher Singh ·
Elected officials in Queens and New York City indicated on November 3 that the neighborhood of Astoria could serve as the base for a 2028 presidential campaign by U.S. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. The remarks came during an election watch party at Bohemian Hall & Beer Garden, where organizers celebrated the Democratic Socialists of America's strongest performance to date.
The DSA secured the largest bloc of socialists in American history for the coming Congress. In New York State, the organization will send a record 16 members to the state Legislature in January. These gains include the election of State Sen. Aber Kawas, who became the first Palestinian-American to hold a seat in the New York state Legislature, and Assembly Member Diana Moreno, who retained her seat in the 36th District.
Gustavo Gordillo, co-chair of the New York City chapter of the DSA, addressed the crowd at the Astoria venue. He urged members to attend the upcoming citywide convention, where the group will vote on whether to endorse Ocasio-Cortez for the presidency. As he spoke, the audience chanted her name, a clear signal of the support she commands within the organization.
Kawas and Moreno both stated that the grassroots activism that helped Zohran Mamdani win the mayoral race in 2025 provides a foundation for a national bid. They pointed to the high turnout from first-time voters in Astoria, a neighborhood that shifted heavily toward democratic socialists during the 2025 mayoral election. Kawas noted that the enthusiasm of residents in the neighborhood is the key factor, not just its geographic location.
Ocasio-Cortez won her re-election in New York’s 14th congressional district with more than 78% of the vote as of the latest reporting. This result marked her strongest general election showing in that district. However, many of these races were effectively decided in the June primaries, where a slate of DSA candidates defeated traditional progressive Democrats in western Queens.
The election results stand in contrast to the 2024 presidential cycle, when Queens moved to the right. Valdez, who defeated Antonio Reynoso to represent New York’s 7th congressional district, attributed the recent gains to the DSA’s outreach to working-class voters. She argued that these voters are seeking representatives with moral clarity and consistent positions on essential issues.
State Sen. Kristen Gonzalez emphasized the need for continued organizing on specific policy platforms. She cited state-wide efforts regarding AI, data centers, and universal childcare as ways to keep voters invested in the movement. Gonzalez stated that focusing on issues that impact daily life helps maintain long-term engagement beyond single election cycles.
In the immediate term, DSA leaders are focusing on the state executive branch. Governor Kathy Hochul won re-election, a victory Gordillo attributed in part to Mamdani’s base. The DSA plans to pressure Hochul to expand tax measures on wealthy residents and corporations. Assembly Member David Orkin, who won in Assembly District 38, said the new Legislature will demand greater accountability from the governor during the 2027 session.
