Few politicians have more on the line outside the actual candidates than Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) in next week’s New York City mayoral election.

The New York progressive has been a staunch supporter of Zohran Mamdani, the 34-year-old democratic socialist who won the Democratic Party’s nomination and is the favorite to win the election.

As Ocasio-Cortez eyes a possible New York Senate run and even a presidential bid in 2028, Democrats say Mamdani’s successes and failures could either be a huge boost to her or be a drag on a future campaign.

“I'd say she has more at stake maybe even than Mamdani because of what she's competing for," said one Democratic strategist, offering a nod to the idea that the 36-year-old Ocasio-Cortez could be the progressive standard-bearer as soon as 2028.

“If he has major wins, she’ll have major wins. But if he flops, Republicans will inevitably tie her to him. And that could hurt her,” the strategist said.

At the same time, progressives say a Mamdani win would be a significant boost for her.

“At the stage we're in right now where Democrats are trying to rebuild the party, you need proof of concept, and for someone like AOC ... if she can show that Mamdani is successful not only as a candidate but in governing, that's a real benefit to her,” said Democratic strategist Joel Payne, using an abbreviation for Ocasio-Cortez's name. “People want to demonstrate that their ideas can work at scale.

“If someone like Mamdani has success and you were part of that, that's good proof of concept for you,” Payne added.

Ocasio-Cortez gave Mamdani her........

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