Ocasio-Cortez's Political Clout Grows After Progressive Wins

The New York congresswoman is shaping the Democratic Party with her endorsements and growing influence.

Published on Feb. 11, 2026

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Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) is seeing her political influence grow among Democrats as chatter builds about her future. Ocasio-Cortez had a recent win when her endorsed candidate in a crowded New Jersey House special primary election, Analilia Mejia, performed above expectations. Democratic calls are growing for Ocasio-Cortez to challenge Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) or possibly run for president in 2028, underscoring the degree to which she's helping shape the party.

Why it matters

Ocasio-Cortez's growing influence and popularity within the Democratic Party could have significant implications for the party's future direction and leadership. As a progressive firebrand, her endorsements and potential future runs for higher office could shift the party further to the left.

The details

Ocasio-Cortez, 36, has quickly become one of the Democratic Party's biggest fundraisers and a leading voice for its growing progressive wing. She has amassed large crowds alongside Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) for their 'Fighting Oligarchy' rallies around the country, and her endorsement helped Zohran Mamdani win the New York City mayoral race last year. Ocasio-Cortez pulled in nearly $24 million in 2025, according to Federal Election Commission filings, and is reportedly headed to the Munich Security Conference next week, putting her progressive profile on the global stage.

  • Ocasio-Cortez had her latest win over the last week when her endorsed candidate in a crowded New Jersey House special primary election, Analilia Mejia, performed above expectations.
  • On Tuesday, Ocasio-Cortez's top rival, former Rep. Tom Malinowski (D-N.J.), conceded the race to her endorsed candidate Mejia.
  • Ocasio-Cortez endorsed Zohran Mamdani in the New York City mayoral race last year.

The players

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez

A 36-year-old Democratic congresswoman from New York who has quickly become one of the party's biggest fundraisers and a leading voice for its growing progressive wing.

Sen. Bernie Sanders

An independent senator from Vermont who has teamed up with Ocasio-Cortez for 'Fighting Oligarchy' rallies around the country.

Analilia Mejia

Ocasio-Cortez's endorsed candidate who performed above expectations in a crowded New Jersey House special primary election.

Former Rep. Tom Malinowski

Ocasio-Cortez's top rival in the New Jersey House special primary election, who conceded the race to her endorsed candidate Mejia.

Zohran Mamdani

The candidate Ocasio-Cortez endorsed in the New York City mayoral race last year, who went on to win.

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What they’re saying

“She is the inheritor of the Bernie Sanders wing of the party. And she's smart. She understands exactly what she's doing.”

— Hank Sheinkopf, New York Democratic strategist (wpri.com)

“She's a change agent, without being a destroyer of the system. And many people think she's what the Democratic Party needs: a new generation to move forward and survive.”

— Hank Sheinkopf, New York Democratic strategist (wpri.com)

“You can make a good argument that should she choose to run in 2028, she will enter that race with the highest floor of anybody.”

— Anonymous Democratic strategist (wpri.com)

What’s next

Ocasio-Cortez is reportedly headed to the Munich Security Conference next week, putting her progressive profile on the global stage.

The takeaway

Ocasio-Cortez's growing influence and popularity within the Democratic Party could reshape the party's future direction and leadership, as she emerges as a potential 2028 presidential contender and a powerful force in shaping the party's progressive wing.