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Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) leaders are charting an ambitious course for the organization’s next major electoral push, with a potential presidential run in 2028 at the forefront of their plans. The move comes on the heels of the group’s resounding successes in the latest New York City elections, further solidifying their influence within the Democratic Party’s progressive wing.
In a strategy reportedly outlined to POLITICO, the DSA has initiated a process to select a candidate to represent the organization in the 2028 presidential primary. This effort involves holding national discussions with prominent progressive leaders, including New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani and Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), with a formal vote expected at the DSA’s 2027 convention. Leaders have indicated that the primary timeline may prompt a faster-than-expected decision on a candidate, should the need arise.
“We’re going to be talking about millions of hours knocking doors for 2028 — so when we decide to really run somebody, people have to feel like they had a say,” stated Megan Romer, DSA national co-chair, underscoring the crucial role of grassroots engagement in the decision-making process.
The question of who will ultimately represent the DSA in the 2028 presidential primary has sparked significant speculation within the organization and beyond. The most prominent potential candidate, Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, remains non-committal regarding her intentions, fueling debate over the possibility of her involvement in the presidential contest. Ocasio-Cortez’s standing within the DSA is complex; while she has historically enjoyed strong support from the organization, past disagreements over policy stances have led to tension in their relationship.
Another name mentioned in the context of the 2028 presidential bid is that of New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, who boasts a meteoric rise to prominence within the progressive movement. However, some have highlighted a constitutional issue surrounding his eligibility for the presidency due to his non-US birth, jokingly described as a potential “constitutional crisis.”
DSA members, who account for nearly 110,000 individuals across 250 chapters, will ultimately decide on the organization’s presidential candidate. Hasan Piker, a prominent progressive voice and Twitch streamer, expressed his support for Ocasio-Cortez, although acknowledged that her candidacy would require her to meet the DSA’s democratic process standards.
The 2028 presidential bid represents an opportunity for the Democratic Socialists of America to further amplify their influence within the Democratic Party and push for policy shifts on core issues. The DSA’s stated goal is to create an alternative to the Democratic Party’s recent electoral strategies centered on fear-based messaging, opting instead for a message rooted in progressive ideals.
As the DSA navigates its 2028 presidential aspirations, the organization’s relationship with high-profile figures like Ocasio-Cortez and Mamdani will undoubtedly be pivotal in shaping its trajectory. Ultimately, the DSA’s focus on grassroots participation and democratic decision-making processes promises to yield a candidate well-positioned to embody the collective aspirations of the organization’s vast membership.