AOC’s Presidential Buzz: Constituents Weigh In
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, the firebrand progressive lawmaker representing New York’s 14th congressional district, continues to generate significant political speculation, particularly regarding a potential presidential run in 2028. As the four-term congresswoman builds her profile and commands attention on both local and national stages, her constituents offer varied perspectives on her ascent and future prospects.
Ocasio-Cortez recently hosted a town hall in New York City, in the very neighborhood where she launched her political career by unseating longtime Democratic Rep. Joe Crowley in 2018. Her victory, a stunning upset against a ten-term incumbent who was seen as a potential future House Speaker, reverberated throughout the Democratic Party. The event served as a reminder of her grassroots origins and the strong base of support she has cultivated.
The shadow of Crowley’s defeat looms large, with some political observers suggesting that he underestimated Ocasio-Cortez’s appeal and organizing capabilities. Now, as Ocasio-Cortez’s influence expands, some constituents believe that a run for the nation’s highest office is well within her reach.
Fast-forward to 2025, and Ocasio-Cortez has solidified her position as a prominent voice within a Democratic Party increasingly seeking direction and leadership. Her "Fight Oligarchy" tour events, co-hosted with Sen. Bernie Sanders, have drawn large crowds, fueling speculation about her potential for a successful presidential bid. Her impressive fundraising figures, reaching $9.6 million in the first three months of the year, surpassing her previous records, further underscore her growing financial and political strength.
Mark LaVergne, an independent voter who was present outside Ocasio-Cortez’s town hall but did not attend, expressed his belief in her winning personality. He emphasized the importance of not underestimating her, recalling Joe Crowley’s "fatal mistake" in doing so seven years prior.
Andrew Sokolof Diaz, another constituent, highlighted Ocasio-Cortez’s growing popularity and voiced his enthusiasm for the opportunity to vote for her. He asserted that she has substantial support not only within her district but also nationally, perhaps even internationally, to launch a presidential campaign.
Aleks Itskovich, a resident who traveled from Brooklyn and immigrated from Russia as a child, conveyed his inspiration from the "Fight Oligarchy" tour. He believes it demonstrates Ocasio-Cortez’s ability to connect with ordinary people through her authenticity and relatability. Itskovich believes that she can channel peoples concerns and feels like an honest individual who isn’t from the "1%". He deems her one of the most successful politicians of this generation and wants to see where she goes.
However, not all constituents share the same enthusiasm for a potential presidential bid. Woodside resident Mary Madden expressed concerns about Ocasio-Cortez’s relative youth, while John Szewczuk, a long-time resident of Jackson Heights, suggested that her left-leaning political views might hinder her chances of winning the presidency outright, although he still expressed his support for her.
Approximately 450 people filled a local school auditorium to hear Ocasio-Cortez address a range of issues, from local concerns about a proposed casino to national topics such as Medicaid and the Trump administration’s mass deportation efforts. The large turnout caused a delay in the event’s start time as overflow attendees were directed to a separate room.
Inside the auditorium, Ocasio-Cortez received a warm reception and appeared to have the full support of the audience for her legislative agenda and representation of the district. Many questions centered on local issues such as minimum wage increases and improving air quality, as well as inquiries about her strategies for confronting the Trump administration.
Her vocal opposition to a proposed casino in Queens, part of a new sports and entertainment park spearheaded by New York Mets owner Steve Cohen, drew significant applause. However, Ocasio-Cortez acknowledged that she lacked direct influence on the matter, as it falls under state jurisdiction and lies outside her district.
She also drew applause when she dared border czar Tom Homan to arrest her, following his threat to refer her to the Justice Department for advising migrants on avoiding deportation.
The town hall proceeded smoothly, with the exception of a brief disruption by a protester who heckled Ocasio-Cortez about the war in Israel and was subsequently removed.
The event took place in Jackson Heights, a neighborhood known for its progressive leanings. A nearby avenue had recently been transformed into an "open street" with reduced traffic to create more public space for pedestrians, cyclists, and community activities.
However, the school is located three blocks from the Roosevelt Avenue commercial strip, which has been plagued by issues such as open-air sex work, litter, crime, drugs, and anti-social behavior. The Roosevelt Avenue strip is shared by Rep. Grace Meng, runs along the southern border of Ocasio-Cortez’s 14th District. Fox News Digital reporters observed at least 30 prostitutes soliciting sex along one block of Roosevelt Avenue approximately an hour after the town hall finished.
Some sidewalks are hard to navigate because of many people including migrants selling hot food, fruit and vegetables, counterfeit goods and stolen goods.
Ocasio-Cortez did not address the issues on Roosevelt Avenue during the town hall, and no attendees raised the matter during the question-and-answer session. While questions were submitted in advance, it appeared that the issue was not a priority for those in attendance.
Sokolof Diaz and Szewczuk stated that local politicians need to do more to resolve the situation, while LaVergne criticized Ocasio-Cortez for failing to address the problems in the neighborhood. LaVergne also expressed lingering resentment over her role in preventing Amazon from opening a headquarters in Queens a few years ago. He mentioned feeling sad and noticing the look in the eyes of sex workers near a Dunkin’ Donuts he frequents. He feels sympathy for them and believes they may be in difficult situations or forced into this work. He added that people need to take care of the people who will get them elected, that it is the most just thing.
