Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., has sparked discussions about a potential presidential run in 2028. During an interview with The New York Times, she acknowledged the impacts of her race and gender on her political aspirations.

A recent poll placed Ocasio-Cortez as a leading contender for the Democratic nomination in 2028. Despite this, she expressed skepticism about how her identity might affect her electability.

“I’m not naïve to the fact that we are living under a regressive administration,” said Ocasio-Cortez. Being a woman and Latina, she stated, plays a vital role in the broader electability discourse.

Reflecting on her personal ambitions, she pondered what her age, 36, could mean for her political career. Ocasio-Cortez criticized the perception that discussions on race and gender often seem like complaints or excuses.

“This country has never elected a female president,” she noted. She argued that ignoring the factor of gender in political campaigns is a form of denial.

Ocasio-Cortez experienced defensiveness from both political spectrums when gender issues are raised. LinkedIn co-founder Reid Hoffman described her as pragmatic during Politico’s Decoded Summit in September. He suggested that Vice President Kamala Harris might face a challenging path in the 2028 nomination.

Furthermore, left-leaning streamer Hasan Piker pledged to campaign for Ocasio-Cortez if she runs. A University of New Hampshire poll in July showed her leading against other Democratic figures like Pete Buttigieg and Harris.

On Sept. 22, New York Times polling data suggested Harris leading with 27%, followed by Gov. Gavin Newsom with 16%, and both Buttigieg and Ocasio-Cortez with 10%.

“Whether America is ready for a Latina president isn’t the question,” said Judy Pino, advisor on Hispanic issues. She emphasized the importance of debates about the country’s future beyond gender and ethnicity.

Pino, representing The LIBRE Initiative, noted that Ocasio-Cortez identifies with democratic socialism. She asserted that Latino voters prioritize policies over identity.

“Families from Cuba, Venezuela, and Latin America know the weight of socialism beyond a political slogan,” Pino remarked. She urged the debate should center on Ocasio-Cortez’s policies, not identity.