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Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., declined to rule out a future Senate campaign after a trio of far-left candidates won New York’s primary elections Tuesday, saying the results left her “inspired and encouraged.”
“I’m sorry I’m not going to be breaking any news here as I consider what’s going to happen in the future,” Ocasio-Cortez told Fox News Digital when asked whether the election results made her more inclined to run for Senate.
“But I’m definitely inspired and encouraged by all the new faces that we’re going to be sending to the states and to Congress next year,” she continued.
AOC CRUISES TO PRIMARY VICTORY AS SPECULATION SWIRLS ABOUT POLITICAL FUTURE
The four-term “Squad” member crushed her two Democratic primary challengers running to unseat her in New York’s 14th Congressional District. Coupled with the victories by three fellow progressives in her state, the results fueled speculation that Ocasio-Cortez could potentially mount a successful primary race against Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y.
Ocasio-Cortez’s comments come after broader speculations have continued to swirl around the possibilities of her political future. The progressive New York Democrat has also refused to rule out a 2028 presidential run, telling Fox News Digital “maybe, maybe not” on whether her running for president was in consideration.
The victories by candidates backed by socialist New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani over more moderate Democrats also fueled debate over whether the progressive wing is becoming a national blueprint for the Democratic Party.
WATCH: AOC LEAVES DOOR OPEN TO 2028 WHITE HOUSE BID: ‘MAYBE, MAYBE NOT’
Asked whether the wins by candidates critical of Israel represented a blueprint for Democrats nationally, Ocasio-Cortez shifted the focus from policy to campaign strategy.
“It’s not only about our substantive positions, but also how we organize and run as well,” she said.
Like Ocasio-Cortez, the three primary winners have all been critical of Israel’s military campaign in Gaza, making the issue a defining point of the Democratic Party’s progressive wing.
RISING SOCIALIST STARS ON TRACK TO CONGRESS: WHO ARE DARIALIZA AVILA CHEVALIER, BRAD LANDER AND CLAIRE VALDEZ?
The victories showcased a surge of support for socialist-backed Democratic candidates, at least in New York. Darializa Avila Chevalier defeated incumbent Rep. Adriano Espaillat, D-N.Y., in New York’s 13th Congressional District; Assembly Member Claire Valdez won the Democratic primary in New York’s 7th Congressional District, where retiring Rep. Nydia Velázquez, D-N.Y., is not seeking re-election; and former New York City Comptroller Brad Lander ousted Rep. Dan Goldman, D-N.Y., in New York’s 10th Congressional District — all after aligning themselves with Mamdani’s campaign.
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If they prevail as expected in November’s midterm elections and head to Congress, their victories would signficantly expand the number of Democratic Socialists of America-aligned members in Congress.
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