New York primaries spur progressive calls for Ocasio-Cortez to challenge Schumer

Progressives are hearing new calls for Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) to challenge Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) for his seat in 2028 after democratic socialist candidates won victories in Democratic primaries last week. 

It sets up a difficult decision for Ocasio-Cortez.

Many see her as the progressive most able to succeed Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) in the left-wing lane in the 2028 presidential race.

But the results in New York suggest AOC, as Ocasio-Cortez is commonly known, would be well placed to run against Schumer given the playing field in New York.

It’s less clear whether she’d win a presidential race, where the Democratic Party in recent elections has rallied around more centrist politicians at the expense of Sanders and the left.

Lupe Todd-Medina, a Brooklyn-based political strategist who formerly worked for House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.), said in an interview with The Hill that among Democrats she hears from, there is no doubt that Schumer will face a primary challenge if he runs in 2028, and little doubt that Ocasio-Cortez would be the challenger.

Ocasio-Cortez’s name, Todd-Medina said, “was already on the tongues of Democratic voters for some time, but it also is being talked about in the sense of, is Senator Schumer going to retire, and if he doesn’t retire, the name that comes up who will challenge him has been Congresswoman Ocasio-Cortez, has always been the name. I actually have not heard another name.”

When asked about the possibility last Wednesday, Ocasio-Cortez demurred, saying she’s been focused on the candidates she endorsed in this election and is now taking time to bask in their victory. 

“I think that these primary days can be so consuming on these races on their own, and I endorsed 14 downballot candidates in New York. All........

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