Dem progressives launch Ocasio-Cortez for 2028, with 'Ready for Aoc'

In the wake of their landslide victory in the midterm elections, a network of Dem activists created 'Ready for AOC', a political organization of volunteers to encourage progressive New York Congresswoman Alexandra Ocasio-Cortez to run for president in 2028.

The goal is to recruit 10,000 local leaders across the country to collect at least one million signatures in support of Ocasio-Cortez. The group says it can already count on over 500 local political and union leaders in 35 states.

“The goal is to build the infrastructure of a grassroots movement, should she decide to run, but also to show her that there is a movement ready to support her to victory,” said Ravi Sahai, a spokesman for the group, which in the past has worked with New York progressives such as Mayor Zohran Mamdani. Sahai said 'Ready for AOC' was inspired by an organizing model used during Barack Obama's 2008 campaign and the 2025 New York mayoral campaign.